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REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM  TO 

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PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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v^ 


\ 


I  '.  V 


.* 


AN 


BOOK  OF  PSALMS, 

IN 

FIVE  LETTERS; 

ADDRESSED  TO  THE  FRIENDS  OF  UNION  IN  THE  CHURCH 
OF  GOD. 

£>econb  <£bftion, 

Improved. 

TOGETHER    WITH 

ANIMADVERSIONS  UPON  DR.  ELY'S  REVIEW  OF  THE 
FIRST  EDITION. 


BY  GILBERT  M'MASTER,  A.  M. 


"  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  that  tremble  at  his  word."— Isaiah. 
■'•  All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profitable.1'— Paul. 
vl  But  in  vain  do  they  worship  me,  teaching  for  doctrines  the  com- 
mandments of  men." — Messiah. 


PHILADELPHIA : 

TUBLISHED  AND  SOLD  BY  D.  HOGAN,  249,  MARKET-STREET. 
J.  Anderson,  Printer. 

1821. 


Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania,  to  wit: 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  that  on  the  fifth  day  of  March,  in  the 
forty-fifth  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America* 
A.  D.  1821,  David  Hogan,  of  the  said  district,  hath  deposited  in  this 
office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  he  claims  as  proprietor,  in 
the  words  following,  to  wit: 

An  Apology  for  the  Book  of  Psalms,  in  five  Letters  *,  addressed  to  the 
Friends  of  Union  in  the  Church  of  God.  Second  edition,  improved. 
Together  with  Animadversions  upon  Dr.  Ely's  Review  of  the  first 
edition.    By  Gilbert  M'Master,  A.  M. 

M  Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  ye  that  tremble  at  his  word." — Isaiah. 

u  All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profitable." — Paul. 

"  But  in  vain  do  they  worship  me,  teaching  for  doctrines  the  command- 
ments of  men." — Messiah. 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  intituled. 
"  An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  ot 
maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies, 
during  the  times  therein  mentioned  j"  and  also  to  the  act,  entitled, 
"  An  act  supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled,  "  An  act  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books, 
to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein 
mentioned,"  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing-, 
engraving,  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

D.  CALDWELL, 

Clerk  of  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


N 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


This  edition  of  the  i  Apology  for  the  Book  of 
Psalms?  is  enlarged  by  some  Notes,  and  an  Ap- 
pendix. To  have  further  enlarged  the  work,  would 
have  been  easy ;  but  the  author's  intention  has  been 
to  call  the  attention  of  Christians  to  the  subject, 
and  to  suggest  matter  of  reflection,  rather  than  to 
furnish  them  with  a  lengthened  discussion,  or  to 
enter  himself  far  into  controversy. 

From  controversy  he  is  constitutionally  averse, 
and  a  lengthened  discussion  is  unnecessary.  The 
question  at  issue  is  simple, — divine  institution,  on 
the  one  side  or  the  other.  The  less  it  is  confounded 
with  other  inquiries,  the  better.  There  is  no  doubt, 
indeed,  of  the  final  triumph  of  the  cause  which  the 
c  Apology '  pleads  :  God  is  engaged  to  glorify  his 
own  word,  and  he  will  do  it.  The  simple  fact, 
that  no  public  advocate  of  a  "  human  psalmody'5 
has  yet  appeared,  who  has  not  been  compelled  to 
employ  the  language  of  reproach  against  some 
portion  of  the  inspired  Psal??is,  when  attended  to, 
will  produce  its  proper  effect  upon  serious  and  en- 
lightened minds ; — and  that  every  thing  like  a  full 
and  fair  version  of  the  "  Book  of  Psalms,"  has  been 
supplanted,  in  the  psalmody  of  so  many  churches, 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

by  a  confessedly  erroneous  Psalm  Book,  composed 
by  one  incontestibly  hostile  to  the  deity  of  Christ, 
must  touch  the  sensibility  of  reflecting  Christians. 
Upon  this  point,  the  General  Assembly  appear  to 
manifest  some  honest  misgivings.  In  that  body 
are  many  members,  both  too  great  and  too  good, 
not  to  feel  the  inconsistency.  They  do  feel  it,  and 
will  ultimately  retrace  their  steps.  An  indication 
of  this  we  have  in  the  late  appointment  of  a  com- 
mittee to  revise  their  Psalm  Book. 

The  author  would  only  add,  that  whatever  effect 
his  i  Apology'  may  have  had,  or  may  yet  have,  fa- 
vourable to  a  Scripture  Psalmody,  he  ascribes  it 
much  more  to  the  inquiring  spirit,  and  growing 
candour,  of  our  day,  than  to  any  merit  in  the  work 
itself.  The  friends  of  the  cause  he  pleads,  have 
no  disposition  to  court  opposition ;  but,  though  the 
author  should  decline  entering  the  field  of  contest 
again,  should  any  thing  of  weight  be  offered  on  the 
other  side,  it  will  be  met  in  the  spirit  of  candour 
and  of  firmness.  Inconclusive  reasoning,  when 
seen,  he  will  readily  abandon ;  and  to  correct  mis- 
statements, if  any  he  may  have  unconsciously  made, 
will  afford  him  unfeigned  pleasure. 

DUANESEURGH,  N.  Y. 

Nov.  1820. 


LETTER  I. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

Every  power  of  man  should  be  devoted  to  the  service  of 
God — Importance  of  Psalmody — Difference  of  opinion 
on  the  subject — Division  of  the  church — Importance  of 
union — Proposal  of  accommodation — Hopes  of  success — 
Mistakes  corrected — Attention  to  the  subject  requested. 

Dear  Brethren, 

EVERT  subject  which  relates  to  the  peace 
of  the  church,  the  institutions  of  God,  or  the 
exercise  of  the  saint,  must  be  interesting  to 
you.  Psalmody,  in  its  matter  and  forms,  has 
always  claimed,  and  deservedly  obtained,  no 
small  share  of  Christian  attention. 

Every  faculty  ctf  man  should  be  consecrated 
to  the  service  of  his  Creator.  In  the  promo- 
tion of  the  divine  glory,  and  in  the  advance- 
ment of  personal  holiness,  all  the  principle? 
of  our  nature,  by  a  mutual  influence,  ought 
to  co-operate.  Man's  powers  of  intellect,  the 
sensibilities  of  his  heart,  and  the  capacity  of 
expressing  these  sensibilities  in  appropriate 
strains  of  melody,  are  laid  in  requisition  by 
our  holy  religion.  Psalmody,  employed  in 
the  spirit  of  its  institution,  is  peculiarly  cal- 
culated to  engage  the  heart,  and  to  call  forth 
2 


14  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

an  elevated  devotion.  In  no  other  act  of  so- 
cial religion,  is  an  opportunity  afforded  for 
so  much  unanimity,  in  actual  and  congre- 
gated expression  of  devout  sentiment;  and, 
it  is  more  than  probable,  no  other  part  of  in- 
stituted worship  is  so  well  adapted  to  inter- 
weave sentiment  with  every  fibre  of  the  heart 
of  man. 

"  There  is  in  souls  a  sympathy  with  sounds ; 
Some  chord  in  unison  with  what  we  hear 
Is  touch'd  within  us,  and  the  heart  replies."* 

Who  has  not  felt  the  melting  influence  of 
the  soft  strains  of  well-conducted  music?  And 
how  powerfully  the  martial  band  operates,  by 
inspiring  with  courage,  is  well  known  to  the 
warrior  in  the  day  of  battle.  When  sentiment 
is  accompanied  with  the  fascination  of  music, 
it  requires  no  common  effort,  even  when  the 
principle  is  disavowed,  to  break  the  charm.f 
This  suggests  to  us  the  importance  of  proper 
matter  for  the  psalmody  of  the  church  of  God; 
it  urges  the  necessity  of  circumspection,  to 
guard  against  the  introduction  of  incorrect 
sentiment,  or  of  crude  and  superficial  opinions, 
in  the  sacred  songs  we  employ.  How  often 
error  is  thus  introduced  into  the  mind  of  man, 
and  blasphemy  shed  before  the  throne  of  the 
Eternal,  need  not  now  be  told. 

*  Cowper. 

t  Let  me,  ^aid  Judge  Hale,  be  ballad-maker  for  a  na- 
tion, and  I  care  not  who  are  legislators. 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER.  15 

The  celebration  of  God's  praise,  in  suitable 
songs,  is  one  of  his  own  institutions.  It  is 
his  appointment  that  his  people  '  come  before 
his  presence  with  thanksgiving,  and  make  a 
joyful  noise  unto  him  with  psalms.5  Hear  a 
New  Testament  injunction  :  *  Is  any  merry  ? 
let  him  sing  psalms.'  The  practice  was  exem- 
plified by  two  illustrious  heralds  of  the  cross, 
Paul  and  Silas ;  and  that  in  circumstances 
very  unfavourable  to  the  exercise :  it  was  at 
midnight,  and  when  confined  in  the  dungeon, 
at  Philippi.  In  his  own  practice,  our  Re- 
deemer himself  gave  his  sanction  to  the  social 
singing  of  praise,  as  an  ordinance  divinely  ap- 
pointed. After  the  institution  of  the  eucharistic 
feast,  he  and  his  disciples  '  sung  an  hymn :'  one 
of  those  comprised  in  the  hillel,  that  is,  those 
psalms  from  the  113th  to  the  118th  inclusive. 

This  part  of  our  worship  is  confessedly 
important.  Its  importance  is  manifested  by 
the  time  devoted  to  it  in  our  solemn  assemblies ; 
by  the  disputes  agitated  respecting  it  in  seve- 
ral sections  of  the  church ;  and  by  the  care 
which  God  has  taken  to  furnish  his  worship- 
pers with  a  system  of  songs ;  songs  endited  by 
his  Spirit,  and  remarkably  adapted  to  the 
condition  of  the  subjects  of  his  grace,  in  their 
progress  through  life.  The  present  brief,  and, 
it  is  hoped,  candid  investigation  of  the  sub- 
ject, is  justified  by  these  considerations,  as 
well  as  by  the  fact,  that  opposing  opinions 
respecting  it,  divide,  at  this  day,  in  practice, 


L&  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

not  a  few  of  the  Saviour's  friends;  opinions 
and  practices,  maintained  respecting  this 
portion  of  our  sacred  services,  that  constitute 
one  of  those  numerous  exciting  causes,  that 
have  aroused  into  warring  factions,  so  many 
branches  of  the  church  of  God. 

This  state  of  things  is  not  as  'it  should  be. 
The  church  of  the  Redeemer  is  really  one  : — 
that  she  is  not  visibly  one,  is  the  sin,  as  well  as 
the  affliction  of  her  members.  Without  just 
cause,  no  division  or  separation,  in  this  holy 
corporation,  should  receive  the  countenance 
of  any  friend  of  God,  or  advocate  of  Zion's 
peace.  No  practice,  no  maxim,  calculated 
to  wound  the  sensibilities  of  the  meanest 
among  the  children  of  grace,  unless  en- 
forced by  divine  authority,  should  be  in- 
dulged ;  for  to  wound  the  sensibilities  is  to 
alienate  the  heart,  and,  if  not  to  affect  the 
conscience,  certainly  to  enlist  the  passions. 
The  natural  result  of  irritated  passions  is  se- 
paration and  a  state  of  hostility. 

Practices  long  indulged  become  familiar, 
and,  in  their  associations,  not  unfrequently 
venerable.  In  religion,  habit  often  connects 
its  expedient  forms  with  its  divinely  appointed 
institutions ;  and,  except  the  mind  be  more 
than  usually  versed  in  the  science  of  abstrac- 
tion, a  change  in  the  one  is  not  unlikely  to 
ic;.  I  to  AM  infringement  of  the  other.  He  un- 
derstands btit  little  of  the  constitution  of  man,, 
or  but  slightly  regards  the  interests  of  society, 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER.  17 

who,  with  the  wanton  hand  of  rashness,  would 
expunge  the  convenient  institutes,  which  have 
long  given  body  to  opinion,  and  order  to 
practice.  The  friend  of  peace,  and  the  patron 
of  order,  will  therefore  treat  with  delicacy 
those  forms  that  are  recommended  by  ancient 
usage.  A  departure  from  this  course  can  only 
be  justified  by  a  full  and  well-founded  convic- 
tion, that  such  forms  are  either  essentially 
wrong,  or,  from  certain  circumstances,  per- 
nicious in  their  effects.  This  caution  must  still 
be  greater,  when  we  go  beyond  forms,  to  the 
fcubstantials  of  religion ;  to  the  matter  of  that 
worship  which  God  himself  has  ordained  to 
be  offered  before  his  throne. 

In  the  psalmody  of  the  church,  there  is,  in- 
deed, as  in  other  social  institutions,  conve- 
nient forms,  in  which,  according  to  circum- 
stances, a  variety  may  be  innocently  prac- 
tised; but  there  is  also  something  in  it  of  po- 
sitive, divine  appointment,  with  which  no  man 
may  interfere.  The  matter  must  be  evan- 
gelical. In  this  we  must  hearken  attentively 
to  the  voice  of  the  Lord;  and  take  heed  lest 
our  fear  toward  him  be  taught  by  the  precepts 
of  men.  Our  spiritual  song  must  be  that  which 
God  approves. 

That  good  men  entertain  different  senti- 
ments, as  respects  the  application  of  the  gene- 
ral truth  now  stated,  is  readily  admitted.  One 
believes  he  may,  with  divine  approbation,  in 
public  Worship,  employ  the  effusions  of  the 
2* 


18  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

pious  muse,  which  are  marked  by  no  special 
disconformity  to  the  sacred  oracles.  Another 
feels  his  conscience  bound,  exclusively,  to  the 
use  of  those  songs  which  God  has  given  by 
the  inspiration  of  his  Spirit;  which  his  church 
has  used;  and  which  he  believes  was  designed 
for  the  saints  in  the  public,  social  worship  of 
the  church.  These  songs  are  found  in  the 
pages  of  the  book  of  God. 

It  is  not  now  intended  to  discuss  the  merits 
of  this  question.  My  object  in  this  letter  is  to 
find  a  point  where  the  jarring  parties  may 
meet  in  concord;  where  they  may  ungird  their 
armour,  forget  their  animosities,  and  unite 
for  a  while  in  a  song  of  praise  to  God  their 
Saviour.  In  this  age  of  Bible  triumphs,  and 
catholic  liberality,  I  cannot  think  the  desired 
point  is  difficult  to  be  found.  May  not  both 
parties  meet,  in  the  use  of  those  songs,  indited 
under  the  inspiration  of  God  ?  In  the  use  of 
those  songs,  presented  in  the  most  correct  ver- 
sion to  be  found,  could  any  complain  of  in- 
roads on  tenderness  of  conscience,  or  the  purity 
of  worship?  No.  Methinks  I  hear  both  with 
ecstasy  exclaim  :  "  In  the  use  of  these  songs 
we  can  cordially  unite*  They  are  the  words 
of  God ;  and  they  are  sweet  to  our  taste." 

But  is  this  response  an  illusion  of  fancy,  or 
is  it  a  reality  ?  I  trust  it  is  the  deliberate  and 
practical  sentiment  of  every  friend  of  the  book 
of  God.  Acting  upon  it,  in  the  present  in- 
stance, would  be  attended  by  the  happiest 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER.  19 

consequences.  The  more  that  Christians  are 
conversant  with  these  songs,  the  more  their 
fulness  will  be  seen;  and  the  more  familiar 
they  become  with  their  matter,  its  adaptation 
to  the  purposes  of  sacred  praise  will  more  ob- 
viously appear.  Why  then  rend  in  pieces  the 
body  of  Christ?  Is  not  the  propriety  of  the 
contrary  practice,  the  use  of  hymns  of  human 
composition,  doubted  by  numbers  who  are 
seriously  devout  ?  Is  it  not  opposed,  by  not 
a  few,  in  different  ecclesiastical  connexions, 
who,  in  talent,  information  and  fidelity,  are 
not  inferior  to  the  chief  of  those  from  whom 
they  differ  ?  Is  there,  by  such  a  measure,  any 
end  to  be  gained,  of  sufficient  value  to  coun- 
terbalance the  loss  of  one  bond  of  union  in 
the  family  of  Christ  ?  Let  this  be  seriously 
pondered. 

But  granting,  for  a  moment,  that  the  ad- 
mission of  hymns  of  human  structure,  instead 
of  inspired  songs,  is  in  itself  allowable,  this 
inquiry,  and  it  is  an  important  one,  offers  it- 
self to  our  minds :  Is  it  expedient ?  Let  us  at- 
tend to  the  language  of  Paul :  '  Take  heed, 
lest  by  any  means  this  liberty  of  yours  become 
a  stumbling  block  to  them  that  are  weak.* 
When  ye  sin  so  against  the  brethren,  and 
wound  their  weak  conscience,   ye  sin  against 


*  A  stumbling  block. — How  become  a  stumbling  block, 
in  the  case  before  us  ?  By  inducing  them  to  think  and  as- 
sert, that  the  use  of  scripture  psalms  is  calculated  to  make 
heresy  triumphant,  spoil  devotion,  and  naturally  lead  the 


20  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

Christ.'  He  loves  his  body.  Its  humblest 
members  he  regards  with  kind  affection.  '  He 
that  toucheth  them  toucheth  the  apple  of  his 
eye.' 

As  friends  of  Zion's  peace  I  address  you  on 
this  subject;  and  again,  I  repeat  the  question: 
Why,  in  a  matter  of  doubtful  disputation,  to 
say  the  least  of  it,  rend  the  church  of  Christ? 
Consider,  ye  friends  of  godliness,  the  great 
importance  of  union  in  the  household  of  faith. 
Seriously  reflect  on  the  fearful  consequences 
of  disunion  among  those  who  love  the  Lord, 
and  who  ought,  with  cordiality,  to  love  one 
another.  To  effect  this  harmony,  the  Father 
of  mercies  purposed  to  shed  abroad  his  love 
in  his  people's  hearts;  to  accomplish  it,  the 
Son  of  God  humbled  himself,  and  became 
obedient  unto  death ;  to  unite  those  living 
stones  that  compose  the  building  of  mercy, 
he  shed  his  precious  blood;  to  effect  the  same 
end,  he  appears,  as  our  intercessor,  within  the 
vail;  his  prayer,  now,  as  formerly  on  earth, 
is,  that  those  who  are  given  him  may  be  one. 
In  answer  to  his  intercessory  prayer,  and  in 
pursuance  of  the  same  design  of  grace,  the 
Holy  Ghost  descends  into  his  church.  The 
whole  tendency  of  his  operation  is,  to  bring 
the  subjects  of  his  grace  into  one;  not  only 

worshipper  to  sing  his  own  malignant  execrations  against 
his  own  personal  enemies ;  and  to  think  he  did  God  ser- 
vice by  breathing  out  revenge!  These  are  the  weak  one?); 
and  this  is  the  stumbling  in  the  case  of  psalmody. 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER.  21 

as  regards  their  connexion  with  Jesus,  as  their 
living  head,  but  also  as  respects  their  princi- 
ples, dispositions,  hopes  and  practice. 

Among  the  professed  disciples  of  the  Re- 
deemer, diversity  of  views,  and  difference  of 
practice,  do  indeed  prevail ;  but  let  each  of 
them  be  assured,  that  no  just  ground  of  these 
proceeds  from  the  Spirit  of  God.  So  far  as 
they  are  actuated  by  him,  the  disciples  of 
Christ,  in  sentiments  and  pursuits,  are  the 
same.  He,  though  acting  in  different  sub- 
jects, and  under  different  circumstances,  is 
never  at  variance  with  himself.  This  fact, 
taken  in  connexion  with  existing  animosities, 
among  the  avowed  friends  of  religion,  affords 
no  flattering  assurance  to  the  present  age,  of 
a  great  measure  of  the  Spirit's  influence  being 
enjoyed.  I  am,  indeed,  aware,  that  there  is 
much  talk  of  union ;  and  that  schemes  are 
devised,  no  doubt  with  the  best  designs,  for 
its  extension:  but  you  likewise  know,  that 
there  is  really  very  little  of  it  in  the  church. 
That  there  should  be  more,  is  readily  con- 
fessed. That  means  more  efficient  for  its  at- 
tainment must  be  employed,  ■  all  but  the  most 
superficial  thinkers  do  admit.  Too  much,  we 
have  reason  to  fear,  is  attempted  on  this  sub- 
ject by  one  effort;  and  that  one  not  well  di- 
rected. Under  the  influence  of  a  thoughtless 
impulse,  early  opinions,  ancient  prejudices 
and  confirmed  habits,  may  for  a  moment  be 
forgotten ;  but  that  impulse  once  gone,  that 


22  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

moment  past,  they  will  return  in  all  their  wont- 
ed force.  So  far  as  contending  parties  unite 
on  principle, — and  for  an  unprincipled  union, 
no  man  of  enlightened  piety  will  plead, — it 
must  be  effected  by  deliberation,  and  a  precise 
inspection  of  the  ground  on  which  they  meet. 
Is  it  not,  then,  worth  while  to  inquire,  how 
far  the  subject  of  psalmody,  at  this  day,  in 
our  country,  tends  to  divide  the  church  of  God, 
'  which  he  has  purchased  with  his  own  blood?' 
And  to  whatever  extent  it  may  produce  an 
effect  so  unhappy,  should  not  the  most  effec- 
tual remedy  be  speedily  applied?  Let  none 
say,  that  this  is  only  one  point,  in  which  some 
sections  of  the  great  community  of  Christians 
disagree.  Though  it  be  but  one  point,  it  is 
a  very  important  one.  And  is  not  a  single 
point  of  union,  fairly  gained,  of  much  conse- 
quence ?  The  more  numerous  the  points  of 
contact,  in  principle  and  in  practice,  the  more 
strong  is  the  spiritual  edifice  of  the  house  of 
God.  The  man  who  has  observed  with  at- 
tention the  progress  of  religious  contentions, 
knows  well,  that  discord  in  a  single  article, 
tends  to  alienate  the  minds  of  the  parties  at 
issue  upon  others,  more  than  would  otherwise 
be  the  case.  And  he  knows  but  litrie  of  the 
principles  of  the  human  mind,  who  needs  to 
be  informed,  that  concession  in  one  point  at 
issue,  prepares  to  mitigate  the  demands  in 
others  that  are  litigated.  Should  not  then, 
as  far  as  proper,  the  experiment  be  made  in 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER.  2o 

this  case?  Should  it  succeed,  how  noble 
would  be  the  triumph  over  the  unaccommo- 
dating", and  arrogant  spirit  of  party !  more 
worthy  of  memorial,  than  those  victories  that 
are  recorded  in  the  blood  of  thousands.  c  He 
that  ruleth  his  spirit,  is  better  than  he  that 
taketh  a  city.' 

Admit,  for  a  moment,  that  it  is  a  narrow 
prejudice  which  makes  some  more  than  hesi- 
tate to  use,  in  solemn  acts  of  worship,  a  hymn 
of  human  composure ;  still  it  must  be  grant- 
ed, that  their  preference  of  a  scripture  song, 
is  not  marked  by  what  deserves  the  name  of 
crime.  It  corrupts  no  ordinance  of  God. 
You,  indeed,  may  not  perceive  any  just  cause 
for  our  scrupulosity  ;  but  you  can  have  no  ob- 
jection to  join  in  our  devotions.  We  have, 
however,  objections  against  uniting  in  yours; 
objections  which  a  high-handed  practice  is 
not  calculated  to  obviate,  in  a  manner  which 
reflecting  Christians  can  approve. 

In  moments  of  devout  reflection,  the  man 
of  piety  will  approve  of  that  course,  which, 
on  proper  ground,  most  effectually  tends  to 
unite  the  followers  of  the  Lamb.  Whatever 
in  his  conduct  has  a  contrary  tendency,  will, 
one  day,  call  up  the  bitterest  regret.  Why, 
then,  in  the  use  of  a  freedom,  (if  such  it  be) 
certainly  not  necessary  to  your  spiritual 
growth,  banish  from  our  solemn  assemblies 
any  who  loves  the  Redeemer's  name?  Or, 
if  there,  why  impose  on  him  the  hard  alterna- 


24  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

tive,  of  wounding  his  own  mind,  or  of  keep- 
ing silence,  in  this  interesting  part  of  social 
devotion.  This  would  be,  with  a  witness,  to 
destroy  the  harmony  of  Zion.  Rather  let  us 
endeavour  to  '  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in 
the  bond  of  peace.' *  If  the  exclusion  of  mo- 
dern hymns,  and  the  restoration  of  inspired 
song,  be  the  price  of  union,  among  any  of  the 
friends  of  the  Redeemer,  let  that  price  without 
delay  be  given.  I  plead  for  this,  as  one  im- 
portant step  toward  a  permanent  accommo- 
dation of  differences  among  the  Christians  of 
our  country. 

Will  you  then,  can  you,  ye  friends  of  con- 
cord, refuse  this  ?  While  in  the  name  of  God 
you  plead  for  union,  while  you  adduce  from 
the  gospel  page,  and  urge  with  an  eloquence 
almost  more  than  human,  those  holy  motives, 
so  well  adapted  to  sooth  to  repose  every  tur- 
bulent emotion  of  the  mind,  and  to  enlist  all 
the  better  affections  of  the  heart  upon  your 
side, — dare  you,  with  all  these  accents  of  peace 
on  your  lips,  refuse  this  offer  ?  Will  you,  in 
place  thereof,  professedly  light  a  torch  at  the 


*  Eph.  iv.  3. — Is  not  this  scripture  frequently  misunder- 
stood and  incorrectly  applied  ?  Unity  and  peace  are  chimed 
over  without  regarding  their  characteristics.  "  By  the 
unity  of  the  Spirit,  we  are  to  understand  not  only  a  spirit- 
ual unity,  but  also  a  unity  of  sentiments,  desires,  and  af- 
fections, such  as  is  worthy  of  and  springs  from  the  Spirit 
of  God."—  Clarke. 

Union  in  falsehoods  and  contradictions,  is  not  intended 
by  the  apostle. 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER,  Zo 

sacred  fire  of  the  altar  of  God,  and,  carrying 
it  in  your  hand,  kindle  in  his  temple  a  de- 
structive flame?  will  you  kindle  a  flame,  which 
consumes  the  bonds  of  peace,  of  love,  and  all 
that  is  cheering  to  the  heart,  leaving  to  the 
view  the  cheerless  prospect  of  desolations  ? 
For,  when  angry  passions  take  the  place  of 
holy  zeal,  confusion  that  of  order,  or  form 
that  of  life,  iciiabod,  the  glory  is  departed, 
may  be  inscribed  on  the  doors  of  our  sanctu- 
aries. That  an  unaccommodating  spirit,  pro- 
ductive of  such  consequences,  prevails  at  this 
day,  I  cannot  easily  persuade  myself  to  be- 
lieve. I  shall  therefore  continue  to  hope, 
that  no  measure  consistent  with  the  purity 
and  order  of  the  church,  shall  be  left  untried, 
to  accelerate  among  her  sons  a  happy  una- 
nimity. A  brief  review  of  opinions  and  prac- 
tices, ancient  and  modern,  on  the  subject  of 
psalmody,  may  be  interesting  to  some  ;  and, 
it  is  believed,  will  be  subservient  to  the  pro- 
posed end, — uniformity  in  this  part  of  sacred 
worship,  and  an  approximation  towards  that 
oneness,  so  desirable  in  the  church  of  God. 

This  oneness,  it  is  too  well  known,  cannot 
now  be  found.  In  purity,  in  consistency,  in 
firmness,  and  in  elevation  of  character,  the 
churches  generally,  for  more  than  a  hundred 
and  fifty  years  past,  have  been  losing  ground. 
To  be  more  than  convinced  of  this  unpleasant 
fact,  tlie  mind  has  only  to  glance  at  their 
"history.      They  are  broken  into  fragments. 


26  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

And  even  in  those  sections  that  profess  union, 
the  cohesive  principle  acts  with  a  feeble  in- 
fluence on  their  constituent  parts.  Their 
principles,  their  forms  and  matter  of  worship, 
are  discordant.  This  is  remarkably  the  case 
in  that  interesting  service,  which,  of  all  others 
on  earth,  most  resembles  the  employment  of 
those  perfect  spirits  who,  in  unison,  strike  the 
harp  of  glory  before  the  throne  of  God.  Cast 
your  eyes  over  the  several  churches;  listen 
to  their  song  :  It  is  the  confusion  of  Babel ! 
What  thoughtful  Christian  has  not  felt  and 
deplored  this  evil  ?  Amidst  all  this  accumu- 
lation of  modern  hymns,  under  which  our 
presses  and  our  shelves  are  groaning,  and  the 
public  mind  confounded,  no  rallying  point 
can  be  found,  where  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord 
may  unite  in  public  praise. — But  the  thought 
is  painful ;  let  it,  at  present,  be  no  further  pur- 
sued. 

It  is,  nevertheless,  a  cheering  reflection, 
that  the  articles  of  faith  on  which  the  sections 
of  the  spiritual  empire  of  our  Lord,  most  re* 
mote  from  each  other,  agree,  are  very  nume- 
rous and  very  important ;  and  in  the  pros- 
perity of  that  empire  of  which  they  are  fellow 
citizens,  they  have  a  common  interest.  That 
there  are  jarring  views  among  them,  on  a  few 
important  points,  is  matter  of  poignant  sor- 
row ;  for,  in  their  number,  there  is  no  mind 
so  perverted,  as  to  rejoice  in  the  divisions  of 
Zion;  no  heart  so  hard,  as  not  to  relent  at 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER.  21 

the  signs  of  alienated  affections  among  her 
sons.  Defective  in  duty  must  he  also  be  es- 
teemed, who,  in  his  proper  place,  attempts  not 
to  heal  those  wounds,  and  to  harmonize  those 
affections.  Success  in  such  an  undertaking 
is  not  hopeless.  These  relentings,  these  nu- 
merous and  important  points  of  agreement, 
the  common  interest  of  saints  in  the  progress 
of  truth  and  peace,  give  assurance  of  an  ulti- 
mate triumph. 

Let  not,  then,  the  infidel  rejoice  in  our  un- 
happy discords.  He  and  his  companions,  too, 
have  their  wars ;  and  they  maintain  them  with- 
out a  heart.  The  sons  of  Zion  are  friends  to 
truth;  children  of  the  same  family,  they  touch 
with  freedom  each  other's  mistakes,  they  re- 
prove with  an  affectionate  heart,  and  love  as 
brethren  still.  They  well  understand  the 
worth  of  that  compliment,  which  is  couched 
under  a  manly  appeal  to  consistency  on  a 
point  at  issue.  Differences  can  never  be  re- 
moved unless  they  occupy  a  share  of  thought, 
and  find  a  place  in  free  and  meek  discussion. 
Discussion,  to  rise  above  chicanery,  must  be 
plain;  to  be  useful,  it  must  be  meek.  The  re- 
sult of  an  opinion  is  not  always  seen  by  its 
advocate ;  and  when  disavowed,  though  it  be- 
long to  his  system,  should  not  be  imputed  to 
the  man.  And,  for  that  liberality  which,  un- 
der the  shield  of  venerated  names,  would  save 
from  exposure  sentiments  or  practices  of  evil 
tendency,  I  know  you  are  not  the  advocates. 


28  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

Regardless,  then,  of  the  charge  of  bigotry, — 
a  vulgar  term,  ill  defined,  and  successively 
applied  to  all  on  this  side  the  realms  of  abso- 
lute skepticism,  and  from  which  I  shall  be 
freed  by  your  award ;  as  well  as  from  the  im- 
putation of  violating  the  laws  of  charity,  a 
lovely  term  and  lovelier  grace ;  a  term  how- 
ever, which,  from  lack  of  knowledge  of  its 
import,  is  often  pressed  into  many  an  unholy 
service,  uncongenial  with  its  nature, — I  pro- 
ceed in  my  discussion,  after  adverting  to  an 
idea,  a  mistaken  idea  indeed,  but  one  which  in 
some  circles  is  used  with  considerable  address, 
and  not  without  effect.  It  is  this;  that  the  re- 
gard shown  to  the  subject  advocated  in  these 
sheets,  is  a  prejudice,  originating  in  foreign 
attachments,  and  is  fostered  by  transatlantic 
partialities.  You,  brethren,  know  this  to  be 
a  mistake;  and  through  you  it  may  be  well 
to  correct  it. 

To  say,  indeed,  that  you  and  I  do  not  che- 
rish, with  kind  respect,  the  memory  of  the 
Calvins  and  the  Bezas,  the  Luthers  and  the 
Melancthons,  of  continental  Europe,  would 
betray  ungrateful  affectation.  To  disavow  a 
veneration  for  the  Wickliffes,  the  Knoxes, 
Buchanans,  Wishearts,  Cranmers,  Ruther- 
fords,  Renwicks  and  Owens,  of  Great  Britain, 
would  be  to  falsify  some  of  the  best  affections 
of  our  hearts.  And  as  long  as  the  union  of 
pre-eminent  talent  with  piety  of  the  first  order, 
shall  be  venerable  in  the  estimate  of  man,  so 


INTRODUCTORY  LETTER.  29 

long  shall  homage  be  rendered  to  the  West- 
minster divines,  and  their  memory  be  kindly 
cherished,  and  their  labours  duly  prized.  And 
notwithstanding  the  slander  and  the  infamy 
which  an  ungracious  policy  has  attached  to 
the  Emerald  Isle,  our  hearts  refuse  to  disre- 
gard the  memory  or  the  works  of  her  Ushers 
and  her  Boyles,  her  Berkleys,  her  Lelands 
and  Magees.  But  still  we  demand  credit  for 
our  tenderest  affections  being  cisatlantic;  and 
certainly,  so  far  as  we  have  national  partiali- 
ty, it  is  of  American  growth.  While  we 
would  duly  estimate  foreign  genius,  literature 
and  piety,  and  give  them  credit  for  our  drafts 
upon  their  stores,  it  is  not  with  less  heart  that 
we  recognize  the  luminaries  of  America.  It 
is  with  a  just  pride  we  can  boast  our  Mathers 
and  our  Edwardses,  with  a  constellation  of 
others,  whose  beams  not  only  dissipate  the 
gloom  of  our  wilderness,  but  add  to  the  splen- 
dour of  European  light :  Yet  still,  our  faith 
and  our  devotions  must  not  be  subjected  to 
any,  nor  to  all  of  these;  before  the  authority 
of  Heaven,  and  of  that  alone,  in  matters  of 
religion,  are  we  permitted  to  bow. 

But  after  all,  it  is  hard  to  see  how  the  pre- 
ference of  psalms  given  by  the  inspiration  of 
God,  to  the  productions  of  an  English  poet, 
can  be,  even  apparently,  placed  to  the  account 
of  foreign  partiality.  Let  the  idea  of  a  local 
religion,  whether  European  or  American,  be 
far  from  our  minds.  The  religion  of  the; 
3* 


30  INTRODUCTORY  LETTER. 

Bible  is  adapted  to  every  province  of  God's 
empire  in  this  world.  Instead,  then,  of  Ame- 
ricanizing religion,  as  some  idly  talk,  or  ac- 
commodating its  substance  and  its  forms  to 
every  impulse  of  popular  prejudice,  let  it  be 
our  care  and  our  endeavour,  in  our  respective 
departments,  that  the  national  character  be 
stamped  with  the  image  of  the  lively  oracles 
of  the  God  of  truth. 

Trusting,  brethren,  that  among  the  very 
numerous  and  greatly  important  objects  which 
solicit  your  attention,  and  occupy  your  time, 
some  interval  of  leisure  and  of  seriousness 
will  permit  the  subject  of  these  letters  to  come 
before  you;  and  when  such  a  season  shall  oc- 
cur, not  to  these  letters,  for  that  is  not  hoped, 
but  to  their  subject,  do  I  beg  your  respectful 
attention.  And  whatever  may  be  the  conse- 
quence of  your  inquiry,  we  know,  that  on  this 
point,  no  discrepant  opinion  shall  be  permit- 
ted to  break  in  upon  the  charities  of  social  life. 
Those  charities  we  feel,  and  their  exercise  is 
enjoined  by  our  blessed  religion.  This  exer- 
cise, while  we  deplore  sentiments  of  unhappy 
tendency,  and  condemn  practices  which  we 
cannot  approve,  teaches  us  to  admit  the  evi- 
dence of  motives  that  mitigate  their  crimi- 
nality, and  to  rejoice  in  the  virtues  that  re- 
commend the  man. 


31 
LETTER  II. 

ANCIENT  HISTORY  OF  PSALMODY. 

Remarks — Character  mf  the  age  of  the  Fathers — Latta's 
historical  statements — True  history  of  Psalmody  in  the 
early  ages — Pliny —  Tertullian — Jerome —  Cyril — Augus- 
t  ine —  Cassia n —  Chrysostom — Ap ost  o  lie  Const  it  u  t  ions — 
Remarks. 

Dear  Brethren, 

WHEN  engaged  in  the  field  of  controversy, 
every  weapon  that  seems  to  promise  aid  in 
bringing  the  contest  to  a  successful  issue,  is 
grasped  with  eagerness  by  the  contending 
parties.  Hence,  in  matters  of  public  dispute, 
the  combatants  are  disposed  to  magnify  the 
numbers  that  give  countenance  to  their  cause; 
forgetting  that  "  the  word  of  God  is  our  all- 
sufficient  rule,  and  not  the  sentiments  af  any 
number  of  fallible  men :  so  that  in  fact  they 
have  sometimes  been  found  right,  who  have 
seemed  not  only  to  have  all  the  world,  but  al- 
most all  the  church  against  them."* 

In  matters  of  dispute,  the  antiquity  of  an 
opinion  or  practice,  is  frequently  deemed  of 
weight  in  conducting  to  a  proper  decision. — 
The  wisdom  of  ancient  times  must  be  revered. 

*  Dr.  Scott. 


OK  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

In  the  concerns  of  religion,  there  is,  with 
some,  a  charm  in  antiquity  not  easily  broken, 
With  ancient  usage  we  are  prone  to  associate 
the  infallibility  of  the  Apostolic  age,  and,  gra- 
tuitously, deem  the  fathers  of  a  distant  time 
more  pious,  as  well  as  better  acquainted  with 
the  practice  which  was  regulated  by  inspira- 
tion, than  the  men  of  modern  days.  I  shall 
detract  nothing  from  that  reputation  which 
the  days  of  the  Fathers  can  justly  claim.  It 
will  however  be  found,  with  many  of  the  an- 
cients, what  is  true  of  not  a  few  of  our  mo- 
dern friends,  that  as  our  acquaintance  ad- 
vances, our  veneration  diminishes. 

The  truth  is,  fifty  years  after  the  death  of 
the  apostles  had  scarcely  passed  by,  when  the 
church  they  had  planted  with  so  much  purity, 
and  fostered  with  so  much  care,  exhibited  an 
aspect  very  different  from  what  it  did  before. 
The  historian  Hegesippus,  of  the  second  cen- 
tury, pronounced  the  virgin  purity  of  the 
church  to  have  been  confined  to  the  Apostolic 
age.  Jerome,  of  the  fourth  century,  testifies, 
that  "  the  primitive  churches  were  tainted  with 
gross  errors,  even  while  the  apostles  were 
alive,  and  the  Saviour's  blood  yet  warm  in 
Judea."  In  the  following  periods  the  depra- 
vity increased :  their  picture  is  drawn  in  dark 
colours.  "  There  was  no  charity  in  works, 
no  discipline  in  manners."  The  practice  of 
such  periods  can  go  but  a  little  way,  in  set- 
tling controversies  respecting  divine  institu- 


OF  PSALMODY.  33 

tions.  For  satisfaction,  as  to  the  appoint- 
ments of  God,  we  must  rest,  not  on  the  prac- 
tice of  the  Fathers,  but  on  the  dictates  of 
inspired  truth.  Keeping  this  in  recollection, 
it  may  nevertheless  be  interesting  to  ascertain 
their  modes  and  matter  of  worship.  And,  as 
a  pompous,  and  at  first  sight,  imposing  dis- 
play, of  research  into  the  ancient  practice  of 
the  church,  on  the  subject  of  psalmody,  has 
been  made  by  some  of  those  who  treat  with 
little  decorum  certain  parts  of  the  word  of 
God,  it  may  not  be  inexpedient  to  inquire, 
howr  far  their  representation  of  that  practice 
is  entitled  to  our  confidence. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  James  Latta,  late  of  Ches- 
nut  Level,  Pennsylvania,  appeared  as  the 
chief  champion,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last 
century,  for  a  new  system  of  sacred  songs, 
and  also  the  most  confident  enemy  of  the  scrip- 
ture Psalms.  Some  copyists  of  the  doctor, 
such  as  Messrs.  Freeman  and  Baird,  of  in- 
ferior standing  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
have  since  appeared  in  the  same  cause.  As 
these  lag  behind  their  original,  in  every  thing 
but  in  virulence  against  the  inspired  songs  of 
Zion,  they  shall  now  occupy  but  little  of  our 
time :  Our  attention  shall  chiefly  be  directed 
to  the  conclusions  of  Dr.  Latta. 

The  results  of  his  historical  investigation 
may  be  reduced  to  two  positions:  First,  That 
evangelical  hymns,  of  human  composition, 
constituted  the  whole  matter  of  the  church's 


34  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

psalmody  for  the  first  three  centuries ;  and, 
Secondly,  That  the  Book  of  Psalms  was  not 
introduced  into  the  Christian  church,  as  the 
matter  of  her  praise,  till  error  and  heresy,  to 
which  it  was  subservient,  boldly  attempted, 
in  the  fourth  century,  to  veil  the  divine  glories 
of  the  Redeemer.* 

But  how  does  this  author,  and  his  succes- 
sors in  the  same  work,  substantiate  these  po- 
sitions? The  first  historical  proof  is  drawn 
from  Plintfs  letter  to  Trajan,  in  which  the 
emperor  is  informed,  among  other  things,  that 
the  Christians,  assembled  on  a  certain  day, 
"  sung  a  hymn  to  Christ  as  to  God."f  Now, 
if  not  disposed  to  play  upon  mere  words, 
would  not  every  man  of  common  sense  per- 
ceive, that,  if  those  Christians  sung  the  45th 
Psalm,  they  must  literally  have  addressed 
Christ  as  God?  Compare  verses  1 — 9,  with 
Heb.  i.  8,  9.  and  this  will  be  evident.  Or, 
had  they  sung  a  portion  of  the  102d  Psalm, 
would  it  not  have  been  a  song  to  Christ  as  to 
God?      I   do  not  know  what  our   modern 


*  Latta's  Discourse,  pp.  76 — 78.     Ed.  4. 

t  Pliny  the  Younger,  was  born  at  Como,  in  Italy,  A.  D. 
62;  and  died  A.  D.  113.  He  was  proconsul,  in  Bythinia, 
under  Trajan  the  Roman  emperor;  and  was  for  a  time 
engaged  in  carrying  into  effect  the  imperial  edicts  against 
the  Christians.  His  correspondence  on  the  subject,  with 
the  emperor,  took  place  in  A.  D.  103.  He  is  celebrated 
as  a  fine  writer,  and  an  eloquent  lawyer.  His  testimonial 
of  the  Christian  character,  being  that  of  an  enemy,  is 
worth  a  great  deal. 


OF  PSALMODY.  35 

hymnolo gists  would  think  of  these ;  but  certain 
I  am,  the  apostle  Paul  did  believe  them,  as 
well  as  many  others,  to  be  odes  to  Christ. 
The  reader  of  the  first  and  second  chapters  of 
the  epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  will,  too,  be  satis- 
fied of  this.*  The  only  ground  of  quibble  is 
on  the  term  hymn,  the  usual  version  of  car- 
men, which  is  the  word  used  by  Pliny.  Now 
the  veriest  novice  in  the  Latin  language  knows, 
that  carmen  is  a  word  of  general  signification, 
applicable  to  any  poetic,  and  even  to  prosaic 
composition.f  This  is  the  reasoning  of  these 
gentlemen:  Pliny  says,  the  Christians  of  his 
day  sung,  or  rehearsed,  (diccre,)  a  poetic 
composition  to  Christ,  as  to  God;  therefore 
they  did  not  sing  the  scripture  songs,  but 
hymns  of  human  composure!  What  child, 
that  has  been  taught  to  read  the  Bible,  and  is 
instructed  in  the  rudiments  of  Christianity, 

*  The  fact  is  remarkable,  that  the  apostle,  in  conducting- 
his  argument  in  favour  of  the  personal  glories  and  media- 
torial exaltation  of  Messiah,  against  the  false  views  of  his 
countrymen,  illustrates  and  confirms  it  by  the  authority  of 
the  Book  of  Psalms.  In  every  ode  of  that  sacred  collec- 
tion to  which  he  turned,  he  found  the  Son  of  God,  the 
Saviour  of  man,  dispensing  the  blessings  of  his  kingdom. 
If  the  Spirit  of  God  taught  an  apostle  to  find  his  Redeemer 
there,  by  what  spirit  are  they  instructed,  who  say  he  is  not 
to  be  found  in  those  Psalms  ?  that  their  use  is  not  honour- 
able to  his  cause  ;  "  it  deprives  him  of  divine  honour  ?"| — 
Believe  not  every  spirit. 

X  Latta's  Discourse,  p.  77. 

t  Carmen — "  Any  set  form  of  words,  whether  in  prose 
or  verse;  as,  Lex  horrendi  carminis  erat"  Liv.  1.26. — 
Adam. 


36  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

would  not  reason  better  than  such  doctors  ? 
He  could  say,  if  they  sung  the  45th,  47th, 
68th,  &LC.  Psalms,  (and  why  might  they  not 
have  sung  them  ?)  they  would  have  sung  to 
Christ,  as  to  God.  The  Christians  of  that 
age  were  not  ignorant  of  this.  Irenceus,  who 
was  instructed  by  a  disciple  of  the  apostle 
John,  in  proving  the  deity  of  Jesus  Christ, 
urged  the  testimony  of  the  45th  Psalm  .* 
And  the  facts  related  by  Pliny  he  learnt  from 
Christians,  or  those  who  had  been  professedly 
such,  upon  their  examination  at  his  bar;  and 
not  from  an  inspection  of  their  psalm  book. 

The  doctor  next  has  recourse  to  the  de- 
ductions of  Basnage  from  Tertullian.j-  Let 
us  hear  the  testimony  of  this  Father  ?  It  is 
this ;  that  it  was  the  practice,  in  certain  com- 
panies, for  individuals  to  be  called  forth  in 
the  midst  of  them,  to  praise  God  in  songs, 
either  from  the  Scriptures,  or  of  their  own 
composition.  You  will  remark,  that  Ter- 
tullian  is  not  speaking  of  the  ordinary,  united 
singing  in  the  church,  as  a  stated  institution 
of  God ;  but  of  a  particular  practice,  in  some 


*  Milner. 

t  Tertullian  flourished  toward  the  close  of  the  second, 
and  beginning-  of  the  third  centuries.  He  was  a  native  of 
Carthage,  educated  a  lawyer,  and  ultimately  became  a 
distinguished  presbyter.  He  was  a  man  of  superior  ta- 
lents, but  of  severe  manners ;  inclined  to  superstition. 
He  was  the  chief  Latin  writer,  of  the  second  century,  in 
the  cause  of  Christianity. 


OF  PSALMODY.  37 

places,  attended  to  by  individuals — Quisque 
provocatur  in  medium.  Again,  these  indi- 
viduals, according  to  their  respective  talent, 
drew  their  songs,  either  from  the  sacred  writ- 
ings, or  their  own  resources — De  scripturis 
Sanctis,  vel  proprio  ingenio* 

Let  us  now  see  the  spirit  of  this  reasoning. 
Tertullian  relates  the  practice  of  certain  indi- 
viduals, as  allowed  by  some  meetings  for  so- 
cA  \  entertainment;  therefore,  Tertullian  re- 
lates an  ordinance  of  God,  for  the  stated  and 
united  worship  of  his  people  !  for,  if  not  stated 
public  worship,  it  makes  nothing  for  Dr.  L. 
And,  again,  because  those  individuals,  on  those 
occasions,  drew  their  songs,  either  from  the 
Scriptures  or  their  own  ingenuity;  therefore, 
scripture  songs  were  not  then  in  use;  but 
hymns  of  human  composition  alone  ! — Such 
are  the  premises,  and  such  are  the  conclusions. 

He  next  introduces  Origen,  a  contempo- 
rary of  Tertullian,  exhorting  the  people  "  to 
strive  by  their  hymns,  by  their  psalms,  by  their 
spiritual  songs,  that  they  might  obtain  the  vie- 


*  Si  honesta  causa  est  convivii,  reliquum  ordinem  discip- 
line estimate  qui  sit,  de  religionis  oLicio.  Nihil  vilitatis, 
nihil  immodestie  adrnittit.  PSon  prius  discumbitur,  quam 
oratio  ad  Deum  preegnstetiir.  Editur  quantum  enurientes 
cupiunt :  bibitur  quantum  pudicis  est  utile.  Ita  saturantur, 
ut  qui  meminerint  etiam  per  noctem  adorandum  Deum  sibi 
esse.  Ita  fabulantur,  ut  qui  sciant  Dominum  audire  post 
aquam  inanualem  et  lamina,  ut  quisque  de  scripturis  sanc- 
lis  vel  de  proprio  ingenio  potest,  provocatur  in  medium 
Deo  canere. — Tertul.  J$pol.  Opera,  p,  32. 
4 


38  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

tory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ"  And 
then,  in  correspondence  with  his  usual  laws  of 
logic,  concludes,  that  hymns  of  human  compo- 
sition were  used,  in  the  psalmody  of  the 
church,  in  the  days  of  that  Father,  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  the  Book  of  Psalms.  This  was 
Dr.  Latta's  hypothesis,  and  at  all  hazards  he 
would  argue  for  it.  In  this  he  is  followed 
very  closely  by  his  copyists. — Origen  obvi- 
ously alludes  to  the  apostolic  language,  Col. 
iii.  16.  Is  it  too  much  to  demand  of  our 
friends  who  reason  thus,  some  proof  of  the 
existence  and  public  use,  in  the  age  of  the 
apostles,  of  such  hymns  as  they  contend  for? 
Of  this,  which  should  first  be  settled,  it  seems 
they  never  think. 

When  he  meets  with  the  Fathers  of  the 
fourth  century,  he  succeeds  no  better  :  yet  he 
writes  without  fear,  and  sets  at  defiance  the 
legitimate  laws  of  reasoning.  He  finds  in 
Eusebius,  that  hymns  had  been  written  at  the 
beginning,  in  honour  of  Christ,  and  then  very 
logically  infers,  that  songs  of  human  composi- 
tion were  exclusively  used  in  the  church  of 
God.  It  is  an  argument  of  the  same  character 
with  the  following :  The  friends  of  the  Re- 
formation, in  the  sixteenth  century,  composed 
sacred  songs  in  behalf  of  truth,  which  were 
privately  read  and  sung,  for  the  instruction 
of  the   people;*  therefore   the  Reformation 

*  M'Crie's  Knox,  p.  416. 


OF  PSALMODY.  39 

churches,  in  their  public  worship,  sung  no- 
thing but  such  compositions.  This  is  bad 
reasoning,  very  bad  to  be  sure,  but  it  is  the 
reasoning  of  Dr.  Latta,  and  of  Messrs.  Free- 
man and  Baird. 

A  similar  argument,  with  no  little  parade, 
is  drawn  from  the  case  ofPaulus  of  Samosata, 
at  Antioch.  That  heretic  had  abolished  the 
use  of  the  Psalms  which  were  sung  there  to 
the  glory  of  Christ,  whose  Godhead  he  de- 
nied, and  appointed  hymns  to  be  publicly 
sung  in  his  own  praise.  For  these  impieties 
he  was  degraded  from  the  sacred  office.  These 
are  the  naked  facts ;  and  what,  think  you,  is 
the  inference  from  them  ?  That  the  church 
used,  exclusively,  hymns  of  human  composi- 
tion! — But  why  pursue  the  subject?  Such 
reasoning  rises  not  to  the  dignity  of  a  sophism. 
Such  perversions  of  historical  record,  only 
tend  to  shake  our  confidence  in  human  testi- 
mony. Should  such  reasoning  be  admitted 
as  legitimate  in  our  courts  of  justice,  who 
would  not  tremble  for  the  safety  of  his  per- 
son and  rights  ?  For  other  reasons  than  the 
safety  of  their  literary  fame,  it  is  trusted,  that 
these  productions  of  Latta,  Freeman,  and 
Baird,  were  the  hasty  effusions  of  the  rash- 
ness of  youth,  and  thoughtless  compositions 
of  dotage,  rather  than  the  matured  conclu- 
sions of  manly  minds. 

But  how  do  these  writers  succeed  in  esta- 
blishing the  position,  that  the  Book  of  Psalms 


40  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

had  no  place  in  the  public  worship  of  the. 
church,  till,  under  the  influence  of  heresy,  in 
the  fourth  century,  it  obtained  an  introduc- 
tion ?  Read  their  pages :  The  only  proof 
offered,  is  the  assertion,  that  human  compo- 
sures, exclusively,  were  used ;  and  this  asser- 
tion is  supported  by  such  reasoning  as  we 
have  heard.  If  a  begging  of  the  question, 
followed  up  by  confident  assertion,  and  very 
loose  declamation,  be  admitted  as  proof,  then, 
but  not  otherwise,  have  they  established  the 
point.  Let  us  now  very  briefly  attend  to  a  true 
and  plain  statement  of  facts  on  this  subject. 

Of  the  practice  in  the  Apostolic  age  there 
can  be  little  doubt.  The  Saviour,  while  yet 
with  his  disciples,  set  them  an  example,  from 
which  they  were  not  likely  to  depart — The 
hillel  was  sung  by  him  and  them.  The  pro- 
selytes from  the  house  of  Israel,  usually  con- 
stituted the  nucleus  of  every  church.  This 
the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  abundantly  prove. 
These  converts  were  peculiarly  attached  to 
their  ancient  forms,  and  to  the  sacred  books 
which  were  so  familiar  to  their  minds.  Had 
it  been  proposed  to  exclude  their  inspired 
gongs  from  their  assemblies,  and  to  substitute 
others  of  human  device  in  their  place,  the 
whole  church  would  have  been  convulsed. 
On  this  point,  however,  there  was  no  dispute 
between  the  Jewish  and  the  Gentile  Christian. 
The  singing  of  the  inspired  songs  of  Zion 
constituted  no  part  of  the  yoke  of  bondage. 


OF  PSALMODY.  41 

In  the  expressions  of  their  holy  joy,  they 
were  commanded  to  '  sing  psalms.'  The  uni- 
form silence  on  this  subject,  the  calm  in  the 
church  respecting  it,  is  proof,  that  all  united 
in  the  use  of  scripture  songs.  The  appeals 
of  the  Son  of  God  himself,  to  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  in  proof  of  his  glory,  was  too  recent 
to  be  forgotten — the  very  frequent  appeals  of 
his  apostles  to  these  holy  hymns,  in  exhibition 
of  his  character,  too  deeply  impressed  his 
church,  to  permit  any  dispute  upon  the  point. 
It  was  not  then  known,  that  their  use  "  flat- 
tened devotion — made  worship  dull — dark- 
ened the  views  of  God  the  Saviour,  and 
tended  to  make  heresy  triumphant."  No,  no; 
the  Book  of  Psalms  was  then  understood,  and 
its  power  was  felt  by  the  church.  All  that 
has  ever  appeared  in  opposition  to  this  is  idle 
rant ;  proving  nothing,  but  that  profound  ig- 
norance, or  extreme  disregard  of  the  Bible 
system,  governed  the  pens  of  the  writers.  If 
there  were  other  than  inspired  songs  used 
in  the  psalmody  of  the  church,  during  that 
age,  let  some  of  them  be  produced,  or  indu- 
bitable evidence  of  their  existence  be  made 
appear.     This  has  not  yet  been  done. 

With  the  first  century,  the  last  of  the  apos- 
tles died.  The  church,  in  the  second  age, 
wTas  less  pure  than  in  the  former.  What  was 
her  practice,  as  to  psalmody,  in  the  second 
century  ?  She  used  songs  of  human  composi- 
tion, exclusively,  say  the  patrons  of  innova- 


42  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

tion.  We  have  seen  a  sample  of  their  proof. 
Let  us,  however,  inquire  for  ourselves.  What- 
ever was  the  apostolic  practice,  was  most 
likely  to  be  that  of  the  orthodox,  in  the  pe- 
riod of  which  we  speak.  Pliny's  letter  as- 
sures us,  that  psalmody  was  a  part  of  stated 
public  worship.  His  expression  intimates, 
that  their  mode  was  that  of  the  Jews — dicere 
secum  invicem — to  sing  alternately.  The  re- 
marks before  made  will  lead  us  to  see,  that,  if 
the  Bythinian  Christians  brought  in  the  an- 
cient mode,  the  ancient  inspired  song  was  much 
more  likely  to  be  retained.  That  song  re- 
cognized Christ  as  God.  Irenaeus,  after  the 
example  of  Paul,  defended  the  divinity  of 
Jesus  by  the  forty-fifth  Psalm.  According  to 
the  same,  and  other  examples  no  less  high,  he 
could  have  argued  the  same  point  from  many- 
more.  That  the  songs,  then,  which  they  used, 
w7ere  those  found  in  the  book  of  God,  is  an 
assumption  better  supported,  than  the  hypo- 
thesis of  those  who  take  the  other  side. 

Tertullian  intimates,  that  psalmody  was  a 
part  of  the  ordinary  worship  of  the  church  in 
his  day.  He  expressly  mentions  the  fact,  that 
in  the  African  church,  the  1 33d  Psalm  was 
uniformly  used,  at  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  supper.  Nor  does  he  compliment  those 
who  only  used  it  at  that  solemnity.*    It  would 


*  Hoc  tupsallere  non  facile  nosti,  nisi  quo  tempore  cum 
cGmpluribus  comas. — Tcrtul.  de  Jejun.  Op.  552. 


OF  PSALMODY.  43 

be  a  novel  mode  of  reasoning,  to  conclude 
from  this,  that  no  other  of  the  Psalms  were 
sung  at  the  sacramental  solemnity;  and  no 
less  arbitrary  to  assert,  that  none  other  of  that 
sacred  collection  was  sung  by  the  church.* 
We  here  have  proof,  that  on  the  most  solemn 
occasion  of  the  church's  service,  the  Book  of 
Psalms  was  employed  in  the  second  century; 
and  why  not  on  common  occasions  ?  We 
have  no  proof  that  in  the  stated  worship  of 
the  church,  any  other  collection  was  used,  or 
divinely  authorized.  To  assert  it,  is  not  to 
act  the  part  of  an  enlightened  instructer. 

We  now  approach  the  third  century.  The 
state  of  the  church  was  not  better  in  this,  than 
in  the  last  age.  The  testimony  of  history  fur- 
bishes little  light  on  the  practice  of  this  period, 
as  it  respects  psalmody.  This  is  the  less  to 
be  regretted,  as  we  must,  after  all,  have  re- 
course to  a  '  more  sure  word  of  prophecy.' 
Irenseus,  Tertullian,  and  others,  of  the  pre- 
ceding century,  flourished  in  the  beginning  of 
this.  The  practice  of  the  last,  for  aught  that  ap- 
pears to  the  contrary,  was  the  practice  of  this. 

Of  the  practice  of  the  fourth  century  we 
know  more.  Its  writers  were  more  numerous, 
and  more  reputable,  than  those  of  the  third. — 
Jerome,  of  Palestine,  "  whose  learned  and  zeal- 


*  Reformed  Presbyterians  and  Seceders  uniformly  sing, 
on  sacramental  occasions,  the  45th  Psalm.  Would  this  fact 
authorize  an  historian  to  state,  that  they  rejected  from 
their  psalmody  all  the  rest  ? 


44  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

ous  labours  will  hand  down,"  says  Mosheim, 
"  bis  name  with  honour  to  the  latest  pos- 
terity," informs  us,  that  the  31st  and  45th 
Psalms  were  sung  at  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  supper;  as  was  the  133d  Psalm,  in 
the  second  century,  according  to  Tertullian. 
In  this  Jerome  is  supported  by  Cyril  of  Jerusa- 
lem, his  contemporary.*  Augustine,  who  in 
talent  and  piety  was  not  surpassed  by  any  in 
his  age,  testifies  to  the  use  of  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  in  the  psalmody  of  the  church.  It 
was  used  by  himself  in  his  own  church;  and, 
as  a  thing  in  course,  on  one  occasion  he  men- 
tions the  singing  of  the  65th  Psalm.f  That 
this  Father,  who  was  deeply  versed  in  the  ex- 
perience of  vital  godliness,  did  not  think  that 
these  songs  tended  "  to  flatten  devotion,"  ap- 
pears from  his  Confessions.  It  is  remarkable 
how  those  pathetic  addresses  are  replenished 
with  the  language  of  the  Book  of  Psalms. 
With  pleasure  did  he  remember  how,  in  early 
life,  God  taught  him  by  that  unequalled  sys- 
tem of  experimental  godliness  which  it  unfolds. 
"  I  read,"  says  he,  "  with  pleasure  the  Psalms 
of  David  :  the  hymns  and  songs  of  thy  church 
moved  my  soul  intensely;  thy  truth  was  dis- 
tilled by  them  into  my  heart;  the  flame  of 
piety  was  kindled,  and  my  tears  flowed  for 
joy."  J  These  hymns  and  songs,  as  appears 
from  the  following  book,  were  no  other  than 


*  Catech.  t  Seizn.  10.  ?  Conf.  P>.  9 


OF  PSALMODY.  45 

those  of  the  Book  of  Psalms.  He  relates 
now,  what  took  place  at  Milan,  under  the  mi- 
nistry of  Ambrose,  where  he  says:  "  This 
practice  of  singing  had  been  of  no  long  stand- 
ing. It  began  about  the  year  when  Justina 
persecuted  Ambrose."*  It  is  to  thisMosheim 
adverts,  when  he  incorrectly  states,  that  Da- 
vid'sPsalms  were  introduced  amongihe  hymns 
of  the  church.f  Before  this  time  there  was 
no  psalmody  in  the  west.  Again,  when  Au- 
gustine speaks  of  the  effects  of  sacred  music, 
he  owns,  "  that  the  infirmity  of  nature  may  be 
assisted  in  devotion  by  psalmody — When  I 
remember  my  tears  of  affection,  at  my  con- 
version under  the  melody  of  thy  church,  with 
which  I  am  still  affected,  I  acknowledge  the 
utility  of  the  custom."  These  Psalms  he  was 
prepared  to  vindicate  against  their  revilers,  as 
well  as  to  use  them  in  his  church.  "  One 
Hilary,"  says  he,  "  took  every  opportunity  of 
loading  with  malicious  censures  the  custom — 
that  hymns  from  the  Book  of  Psalms,  should 
be  sung  at  the  altar.  In  obedience  to  the 
commands  of  my  brethren  I  answered  him."  J 
"  The  Donatists,atoo,"  a  fiery  sect  of  enthusi- 
asts, "  reproached  the  orthodox,"  as  the  same 
venerable  Father  informs  us,^  "  because  they 
sung  with  sobriety  the  divine  songs  of  the 
prophets,  while  they  (the  Donatists)  inflamed 

*  Milner.  J  See  Calv.  Inst.  B.  3.  chap.  20. 

t  Vol.  I.  385.  §  Epist.  1 19.  Tom.  2. 


IB  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

their  minds  with  the  poetic  effusions  of  human 
genius."  His  estimate  of  this  Book  may  be 
learned  from  the  fact,  that,  in  his  last  sick- 
ness, he  had  David's  penitential  Psalms  in- 
scribed upon  the  wall  of  his  chamber.* 

Athanasius  of  Alexandria,  the  correct,  bold 
and  suffering  witness  for  orthodoxy,  employed 
the  Psalms  of  David  in  his  church.  For  this 
we  have  the  testimony  of  Augustine.  When 
speaking  of  the  abuse  of  sacred  music,  he 
adds:  "  Sometimes  I  could  wish  all  the  me- 
lody of  David's  Psalms  were  removed  from 
my  ears  and  those  of  the  church;  and  think  it 
safer  to  imitate  the  plan  of  Athanasius,  bishop 
of  Alexandria,  who  directed  a  method  of  re- 
peating the  Psalms,  more  resembling  pronun- 
ciation than  music. "f 

That  Ambrose  used  the  Book  of  Psalms  is 
proved  by  the  same  testimony.  Augustine^ 
was  himself,  for  a  time,  a  member  of  the 
church  in  Milan.  Thence  it  spread  into  all 
the  churches  of  the  west.  "  The  people,  says 
the  historian,  were  much  delighted,  their  zeal 
for  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  was  inflamed," 
&c.  The  universality  of  the  practice  is  evinced 
by  the  testimony  of  Jerome,  already  men- 
tioned. "  You  could  not,"  he  says,  "  go  into 
the  fields  but  you  might  hear  the  ploughman 
at  his  hallelujahs,  and  the  vine  dresser  chant- 
ing the  Psalms  of  David." 

*  Milner.  \  Conf.  B.  10. 


OF  PSALMODY,  47 

In  the  Apostolic  Constitutions*  we  learn, 
that  "  the  women,  the  children,  and  humblest 
mechanics,  could  repeat  all  the  Psalms  of 
David ;  they  chanted  them  at  home  and 
abroad  ;  they  made  them  the  exercises  of  their 
piety  and  the  refreshment  of  their  minds. 
Thus  they  had  answers  ready  to  oppose  temp- 
tation, and  were  always  prepared  to  pray  to 
God,  and  to  praise  him,  in  any  circumstance, 
in  a  form  of  his  own  inditing" 

The  testimony  of  Chrysostom,  the  eloquent 
patriarch  of  Constantinople,  who  flourished  in 
this  age,  is  foil  in  point.  He  was  no  enemy 
to  the  Godhead  of  Christ.  He  ranked  high 
among  the  orthodox  divines  of  his  day.  "  All 
Christians,"  says  this  first  of  sacred  orators,f 
"  employ  themselves  in  David's  Psalms  more 
frequently  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  Old 
or  Neiv  Testament.  The  grace  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  hath  so  ordered  it,  that  they  should  be 
recited  and  sung  night  and  day.  In  the 
church's  vigils,  the  first,  the  midst,  the  last, 
are  David's  Psalms.  In  the  morning  David's 
Psalms  are  sought  for  ;  and  David  is  the  first, 


*  Lib.  2.  C.  57.  The  collection  of  regulations,  known  un- 
der the  name  of  the  "  Apostolical  Constitutions,"  made  its 
appearance  in  the  fourth  century.  Though  we  may  justly 
dispute  its  apostolical  origin,  it  may  be  admitted  of  suf- 
ficient authority,  as  far  as  it  indicates  the  customs  of  the 
third,  and  following  century.  We  see  its  testimony  re% 
specting  the  use  of  the  Book  of  Psalms. 

t  Horn.  6,  on  Penitence. 


48  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

the  midst,  and  the  last.  At  funeral  solemni- 
ties, the  first,  the  midst,  and  the  last,  is  David. 
Many  who  know  not  a  letter  can  say  David's 
Psalms  by  heart.  In  private  houses  where  the 
virgins  spin — in  the  monasteries — in  the  de- 
serts, where  men  converse  with  God, — the 
first,  the  midst,  and  the  last  is  David.  In  the 
night,  when  men  are  asleep,  he  wakes  them 
up  to  sing ;  and  collecting  the  servants  of 
God  into  angelic  troops,  turns  earth  into  hea- 
ven, and  of  men  makes  angels,  chanting  Da- 
vid's Psalms." 

Whatever  may  be  the  reputation  of  Cassian, 
as  to  literary  attainments,  his  testimony  in 
matters  of  fact  is  not  liable  to  exception.  He 
wrote  in  the  fifth  century.  In  vindicating  the 
religious  order,  with  which  he  was  connected, 
he  observes* — "  The  elders  have  not  changed 
the  ancient  custom  of  singing  psalms.  The- 
devotions  are  performed  in  the  same  order  as 
formerly.  The  hymns  which  it  had  been  the 
custom  to  sing  at  the  close  of  the  night  vigils, 
namely,  the  50th,  62d,  89th,  14Sth,  &c.  Psalms, 
are  the  same  hymns  which  are  sung  at  this 
day."  Could  the  singing  of  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  had  it  been  a  novel  practice  at  that 
time,  have  been  called  an  ancient  custom*? 
Why  conclude,  when  the  term  hymn  is  found 
in  the  writings  of  the  Fathers,  that  a  song  of 
human  inditing  is  intended,  when  we  find  that 

*  Lib.  iii.  cap.  6. 


OF  PSALMODY.  49 

the  Psalms  of  Scripture,  are  by  them  denomi- 
nated hymns  ?     But  of  this  anon. 

One  word  more  respecting  the  introduction 
of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  into  the  Christian 
church.  The  author,  whose  non  sequiturs  fill 
so  many  pages,  roundly  asserts,  that  it  had 
no  place  there,  in  the  first  three  centuries; 
and,  that,  under  Arian  influence,  it  was  intro- 
duced and  supported  in  the  fourth  and  fol- 
lowing centuries.  These  round  and  un- 
founded assertions,  are  fully  contradicted 
by  the  testimony  of  Tertullian,  of  Jerome, 
pf  Cyril,  of  Augustine,  of  Chrysostom,  of 
Cassian,  and  of  the  Apostolic  Constitutions. 
According  to  all  of  these,  the  songs  of  scrip- 
ture, from  the  beginning,  were  employed  in 
the  psalmody  of  the  church;  nor  does  it  ap- 
pear, that,  at  any  time,  the  Arians  were  the 
friends,  either  of  their  introduction,  or  of  their 
continuance.  That  Paulus,  at  Antioch,  had 
hymns  sung  in  his  own  praise,  is  admitted ; 
and,  that,  in  other  places,  the  orthodox  and 
the  Arians  separated  in  singing  the  Psalms, 
because  the  latter  would  have  odes  conform- 
able to  their  heresy,  is  fully  known.  But  as 
I  am  aware  of  no  inspired  psalm,  that  is  con- 
formable to  the  denial  of  the  Saviour's  deity, 
I  presume  they  sought  their  hymns  from  some 
other  source  than  the  Book  of  Psalms.  Tell 
us,  what  inspired  psalm  was  suitable  to  the 
praise  of  Paulus,  and  to  the  celebration  of 
his  heresy  ? 


50  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

But  were  not  the  Psalms  of  David  first 
brought  into  use  in  the  Christian  church,  by 
Flavian  and  Diodore,  at  Antioch  ?  So  Dr. 
Latta  and  his  coadjutors  affirmed  ;  but  with 
the  same  disregard  of  authority,  as  is  mani- 
fest in  most  of  their  other  historical  reports. 
The  truth  is,  the  manner  of  singing,  and  not 
the  matter  sung,  is  the  subject  of  record,  in 
respect  of  the  church  of  Antioch,  at  that  time. 
The  notice  of  the  matter  of  psalmody  is  only 
incidental,  but,  on  that  account,  not  the  less 
important. 

Suidas*  on  the  word  XOPOE,  chorus,  in- 
forms us,  that  "The  choirs  of  churches  were, 
in  the  time  of  Flavian,  of  Antioch,  between 
A.  D.  337  and  404,  divided  into  parts,  who 
sung  the  Psalms  of  David  alternately :  a 
practice  which  commenced  at  Antioch,  and 
thence  extended  into  all  parts  of  the  Chris8' 
tian  world."  Observe,  it  was  not  the  singing 
of  David's  Psalms  that  is  then  said  to  have 
commenced,  but  the  manner  of  singing  them. 
And  Flavian,  and  Diodore,  were  not  Arians, 
who,  according  to  Dr.  Latta  and  his  friends^ 
were  the  only  patrons  of  the  scripture  psal- 
mody, but  the  orthodox  opposers  of  Leontius, 
the  Arian  bishop  of  that  city.f  "  These  pro- 
visions, says  Bingham,  were  designed  to  re- 


*  Lexicon. 

t  Hooker  carries  up  the  practice  of  singing,  alternately  y 
the  Psalms  of  David,  to  the  days  of  Ignatius,  the  disciple 
and  friend  of  the  apostles, — Eccles.  Polit. 


OF  PSALMODY.  51 

store  and  revive  the  ancient  psalmody,  by  re- 
ducing it  to  its  primitive  harmony  and  per- 
fection."* There  is  not  the  remotest  inti- 
mation of  any  change  or  innovation,  as  re- 
spected the  matter  of  their  sacred  song.f 

The  foregoing  statements  show,  that  the 
celebration  of  the  praises  of  God,  in  the  com- 
positions of  inspiration,  obtained  in  Greece, 
Asia,  and  Africa,  from  the  beginning;  but  that 
it  was  uniformly,  and  universally  practised  in 
the  churches  in  western  Europe,  is  not  so 
clear.  On  the  authority  of  Augustine,  Cal- 
vin J  thinks  that  psalmody  was  not  general 
there  before  the  time  of  Ambrose,  bishop  of 
Milan,  who,  under  the  persecution  of  the 
Arians,  introduced  it  into  that  church;  whence 
it  spread  into  others,  in  the  regions  of  the 
west.  This  fact  accounts,  in  a  satisfactory 
manner,  for  the  representation  of  Mosheim, 
and  others,  that,  in  this  age,  the  Psalms  of 
David  were  first  introduced  as  the  matter  of 
the  church's  song.  In  most  of  those  churches 
they  had  hitherto,  from  obvious  causes,  been 
generally  destitute  of  this  part  of  public  wor- 
ship.    That  was  not  an  age  of  Bible  Socie- 


*  Antiq.  of  the  Church. 

t  Julian  the  Apostate,  while  at  Antioch,  about  A.  D.  381, 
was  offended  with  the  psalmody  of  the  church,  and  actu- 
ally punished  the  Christians  there  for  singing  the  68th  and 
97th  Psalms. — Milner. 

t  Instit.  Lib.  3.  Cap.  26. 


Ol  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

ties.  Copies  of  the  Scriptures  were  rare,  and 
a  Psalm  Book  not  to  be  had.  The  defect 
was  supplied  as  the  Bible  was  translated  into 
the  vernacular  tongues. 

The  subject  has,  in  all  ages  of  the  church, 
claimed  her  attention;  and,  whatever  unau- 
thorised and  restless,  or  vain  individuals 
might  effect,  it  never  was  the  deliberate  opi- 
nion of  any,  capable  of  consistent  reflection, 
that  her  songs  should,  without  limitation,  be 
the  spontaneous  effusions  of  heated  affections. 
The  decisions  of  the  council  of  Laodicea,  in 
A.  D.  364,  and  the  second  at  Braga,  in  Spain, 
early  in  the  7th  century,  prove  the  contrary. 
The  former  decreed,  that  no  unauthorised 
psalms  should  be  used  in  the  church;  the  lat- 
ter prohibited  all  except  those  of  divine  in^ 
spiration.  These  facts,  together  with  Augus- 
tine's reply  to  the  revilings  of  Hilary,  and  the 
practice  of  the  orthodox  in  his  day,  notwith- 
standing the  reproaches  of  the  raving  Dona- 
tists,  speak  a  language  very  different  from 
that  of  the  gentlemen  whose  representations 
are  now  under  review. 

It  nevertheless  may  be  admitted,  without 
injury  to  our  cause,  that  in  those  days  of  evil, 
when  clerical  ambition  and  ecclesiastical  pro- 
fligacy appeared  with  such  unblushing  effron- 
tery, advantage  was  taken  of  the  commotions 
of  the  times,  to  introduce,  by  every  mean,  the 
conflicting  corruptions  of  doctrine,  order,  and 
worship.     And  it  would  be  strange,  if  the 


OF  PSALMODY.  53 

united  charms  of  poetry  and  music,  were  not 
laid  in  requisition  to  further  their  designs.  I 
admit  the  probability  of  hymns  of  human 
composure  being  numerous;  and  that  they 
were  frequently  used  in  public  worship,  we 
need  not  doubt.  That  many  of  them  were 
intended  to  honour,  and  as  many  others  both 
calculated  and  intended  to  dishonour,  the  Re- 
deemer of  men,  neither  the  opinions  of  the 
times,  nor  the  characters  of  the  prime  actors 
of  those  days,  forbid  us  to  suppose. 

But  when  all  this  is  granted,  I  assert,  with- 
out apprehension  of  any  well-supported  con- 
tradiction, that  there  is  no  ground  to  believe, 
that  inspired  songs  were  not  used,  from  the 
beginning,  in  the  church  of  God;  or  that 
uninspired  hymns  were  exclusively  adopted, 
or  at  all  adopted  with  divine  approbation.  It 
is  a  specimen  of  bad  reasoning  to  conclude, 
that  because  such  hymns  were  admitted  by 
worshipping  assemblies,  the  admission  was  of 
divine  institution.*     Of  no  fairer  character  is 


*  The  Episcopalian,  in  vindicating  his  views  of  Ecclesi- 
astical order,  draws  largely  upon  the  practice  of  the  se- 
cond, third,  and  fourth  centuries.  The  argument  from 
this  practice,  is  not  satisfactory  to  the  Presbyterian  ;  yet  it 
is  remarkable  how  superior  the  Episcopal  argument  from 
this  source,  in  favour  of  his  form  of  church  government,  is 
to  that  of  the  Presbyterian,  in  favour  of  a  human  psalmody. 
That  the  worth  of  the  argument  can  be  understood  in  the 
one  case,  and  not  in  the  other,  is  an  instance,  among  many 
others,  of  the  imperfection  of  the  human  mind,  and  ad- 
monishes us  to  beware  of  a  favourite  hypothesis. 


54  ANCIENT  HISTORY 

the  conclusion,  that  the  admission  of  tbesg 
proves  the  unfitness  and  rejection  of  David's 
inspired  odes.  He  must  also  be  hard  pushed 
for  an  argument,  who  must  conclude,  that  be- 
cause Arians  opposed  the  psalms  that  were 
sung  in  honour  of  Christ,  the  orthodox  did 
not  retain  those  indited  by  the  Spirit  of  God; 
as  though  these  might  not  be  the  same.  And 
I  pray  I  may  never  make  that  candour  and 
liberality  my  model,  which  more  than  inti- 
mates, that  all  who  are  opposed  to  the  use  of 
uninspired  hymns,  must  be  hostile  to  the  doc- 
trine of  the  divinity  of  Jesus.  Nor  can  1  ad- 
mire that  reverence  of  the  word  of  God, 
which  charges  the  use  of  any  portion  of  it 
with  dishonouring  the  Saviour  of  men.*  The 
candid  and  enlightened  Christian,  has  not  so 
learned  Christ. 

The  object  with  which  I  set  out,  is  yet  in 
view.  I  contemplate,  in  these  pages,  an  at- 
tempt to  unite  the  devout  members  of  the  vi- 
sible church.  Many  of  you,  in  the  mean 
time,  are  practically  dividing  them.  You  ex- 
clude a  divine,  and  prefer  a  human  psalmody. 
Does  your  cause  demand  such  a  defence,  as 
has  now  been  reviewed  ?  If  so,  it  is  full 
time  you  should  abandon  it ;  for  it  is  a  bad 
one.  Can  arguments  of  a  better  character, 
in  defence  of  your  hymns  and  imitations,  not 
be  produced  ?     If  not,  will  you  still  pertina- 

*  Latta's  Discourse,  pp.  48.  77. 


OF  PSALMODY.  OO 

eiously  continue  a  practice  so  insupportable, 
notwithstanding,  too,  its  long  train  of  un- 
happy consequences?  Nay;  '  We  hope  bet- 
ter things  of  you,  and  things  that  accompany 
salvation;  though  we  thus  speak.' 


LETTER  III. 


MODERN  HISTORY  OF  PSALMODY. 

Summary  remarks —  Waldenses —  JVickliffe—Huss — Luther 
— Calvin — Church  of  England — Scotland — Wafts — Ame- 
rican Churches —  Congregationalists — Presbyterians — As- 
sociate — Associate  Reformed — Reformed  Presbyttriam — 
Sentiments  and  practice  of— Reflections. 

Dear  Brethren, 

IT  appears  from  the  records  of  the  early 
periods  of  the  church,  that  Christians,  in  their 
public  assemblies,  praised  God  in  the  lan- 
guage of  scripture  songs.  It  also  appears, 
that  the  term  hymn  was  applied  to  David's 
Psalms.  We  have  also  seen,  that  though  psal- 
mody was  universal  in  the  Eastern  churches, 
from  the  beginning;  yet  it  was  not  general,  in 
those  of  the  west  before  the  fourth  century. 
In  that  age,  it  likewise  appears  to  have  been 
the  practice  of  certain  heretics,  to  reproach 
the  orthodox,   for  singing  with  sobriety  the 


56  MODERN  HISTORY 

divine  songs  of  inspiration,  preferring  to  them 
the  inflammatory  compositions  of  their  own 
invention.  We  now  turn  to  the  history  of 
psalmody  in  later  times. 

In  the  middle  ages,  the  ages  too  of  moral 
gloom  and  terrible  superstition,  the  purest 
section  of  the  church  of  God,  was  found  in 
the  valleys  of  Piedmont.  Among  the  Wal- 
denses  were  found  the  simplicity  of  the  apos- 
tolic order,  and  the  purity  of  evangelical  wor- 
ship. They  sung,  "  'mid  Alpine  cliffs,5'  the 
Psalms  of  Scripture.  And  long  before  the 
Reformation  dawned  on  Europe,  they  sung 
them  in  metre.  "  The  Albigenses,  in  1210, 
were  metre  psalm-singers."  The  morning- 
star  of  the  Reformation  used  them.  Wick- 
liffe  is  blamed  by  some,  for  singing  metre 
psalms.  John  Huss,  in  the  fifteenth,  asWick- 
liffe  had  done  in  the  fourteenth  century,*  sung 
the  Psalms  in  verse.  These  were  not  friends, 
either  to  Papal  domination,  or  to  Arian 
heresy.f 


*  Smith's  Prim.  Psal.  p.  270. 

f  When  the  dark  and  cruel  reign  of  Antichrist  com- 
menced, those  who  held  the  faith,  worship,  and  order  of 
the  gospel,  were  found  in  the  valleys  of  Piedmont.  In  the 
middle  ages,  as  at  this  day,  they  suffered  indescribable 
persecutions  from  the  hands  of  "  the  son  of  perdition." 
No  history  is  more  interesting  than  theirs.  In  those  ages 
when  darkness  covered  the  earth,  and  gross  darkness  all 
other  people,  the  Vaudois,  as  Thuanus,  who  was  their  ene- 
my, relates,  "  could  all  read  and  write.  They  were  ac- 
quainted with  French  so  far  as  was  needful  for  understand 


OF  PSALMODY.  57 

But  what  was  the  course  pursued  at  the 
Reformation ;  that  period  when  God,  in  re- 
markable providences,  descended  to  free  the 
human  mind  from  chains,  and  his  church 
from  bondage  ?  The  reformers  celebrated  the 
praise  of  their  Redeemer;  and  they  did  so  in 
the  use  of  scripture  songs.  Luther,  as  early 
as  the  year  1525,  published  a  metre  version 
of  the  Psalms.  In  the  same  year,  at  Augs- 
burgh,  was  published  a  poetic  translation  of 
the  whole  Book,  by  another  hand. 

In  the  year  1543,  under  the  auspices  of 
Calvin,  fifty  of  the  Psalms,  translated  into 
verse  by  Marmot,  a  refugee  from  papal  per- 
secution, were  printed  at  Geneva.  Marmot 
died  shortly  after  this,  and  Beza,  the  devout, 
learned  and  polished  companion  of  Calvin, 
versified  the  remainder.  The  whole  book, 
thus  versified,  was  in  a  few  years  published. 


ing  the  Bible,  and  the  singing;  of  Psalms."*  It  was  re- 
quired of  those  who  were  to  be  ordained  to  the  ministry, 
along  with  other  scriptures,  to  commit  to  memory  "  the 
writings  of  David."*  Numbers  of  those,  who,  under  the 
persecution  of  the  Duke  of  Savoy,  A.  D.  1686,  sought  a 
refuge  in  the  Swiss  cantons,  three  years  after,  returned 
under  their  pastor,  AmaucL  who  was  also  their  martial 
chief.  Having  overcome  their  enemies,  and  regained  their 
native  valleys,  "  at  the  church  of  Guigon  they  engaged  in 
worship,  sang  the  74th  Psalm,  and  their  colonel  and  pas- 
tor, Arnaud,  preached  on  the  129th  Psalm. "f  Thus  we 
see  the  Psalms  of  David  were  sung,  by  the  best  of  men,  in 
every  age. 

*  Milner. 
;  Mem,  of  Waldens'es,  by  a  Clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England- 


58  MODERN  HISTORY 

Such  was  the  demand  then  for  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  that  the  press  was  unable  to  meet  it. 
In  A.  D.  1553,  the  use  of  it  was  interdicted 
by  a  bull  from  Rome.  The  Protestants  of 
that  day  did  not  perceive  that  it  dulled  their 
worship;  nor  did  the  perverters  of  the  church's 
faith  hope  to  derive  any  benefit  to  their  cause 
from  its  use.  It  was  devoutly  sung  by  the 
reformers,  and  burlesqued  by  the  papists. 

In  England  the  friends  of  reform  were  also 
the  friends  of  the  Bible  Psalms.  For  their  use, 
several  of  them  were  turned  into  metre  by 
Wyatt  and  others;  but  a  full  version  was  not 
obtained  till  after  the  accession  of  Elizabeth. 
The  year  1562  presented  that  by  Sternhold, 
Hopkins,  Cox,  Norton,  &c.  This  was  used 
in  the  Church  of  England,  till  superseded  by 
the  more  imperfect  version  of  Tate  and  Bra- 
dy* in  A.  D.  1696.  The  Puritans  of  Eng- 
land, in  A.  D.  1562,  contended,  among  other 
things,   for  reform  in   the  psalmody   of  the 


*  This  innovation  was  not  effected  without  a  struggle. 
Hear  on  this  the  testimony  of  a  man,  who,  in  taste  and 
criticism,  had  no  superior — "  It  was  a  change  much  for 
the  worse,  when  the  pedantry  of  pretenders  to  taste  in  lite- 
rary composition,  thrust  out  this  excellent  translation 
(Sternhold  and  Hopkins')  from  many  of  our  churches,  to 
make  room  for  what  still  goes  by  the  name  of  the  new  ver- 
sion, that  of  Tate  and  Brady.  The  innovation,  when  it 
was  first  attempted,  was  opposed,  though  in  the  end  un- 
successfully, by  the  soundest  divines,  the  most  accomplished 
scholars,  and  the  men  of  the  truest  taste,  at  that  time  in  the 
scat  of  authority  in  the  Church  of  England.   It  will  be  an 


OF  PSALMODY.  59 

church.  They  proposed  "  That  the  Psalms 
should  be  sung  distinctly  by  the  whole  con- 
gregation." Some  of  the  reformers  in  that 
kingdom,  amidst  the  commotions  of  the  times, 
it  seems,  for  a  little,  hesitated,  as  to  the  pro- 
priety of  psalmody  in  the  church:  this  ap- 
pears from  one  of  Latimer's  orders,  in  A.  D. 
1537,  when  bishop  of  Worcester.  The  same 
thing  is  intimated  in  a  protestation  of  some 
of  the  clergy,  in  the  previous  year,  within  the 
province  of  Canterbury.*  But  none  who  ad- 
mitted the  propriety  of  singing,  ever  doubted 
the  evangelical  character  of  inspired  songs, 
or  refused  to  employ  them  in  sacred  praise. 
This  is  a  refinement  of  modern  evangelizers. 

In  the  Scottish  Church,  the  reformers,  from 
the  first,  practised  psalmody.  It  is  said  they 
sung  the  Book  of  Psalms  in  prose;  the  form, 
perhaps,  in  which  it  should  still  be  used.  Be- 
fore A.  D.  1546,  there  is  no  authentic  account 
of  any  use  of  metred  Psalms  in  that  church; 
but  both  before,  and  after  that  period,  in  one 
form  or  another,  the  Book  of  Psalms  was 
uniformly  employed  in  their  congregations. f 


alteration  still  more  for  the  worse,  if  both  these  versions 
should  be  made  to  give  place  to  another  of  later  date,  de- 
parting still  farther  from  the  strict  letter  of  the  text,  and 
compensating  its  ivant  of  accuracy  by  nothing  more  than 
the  meretricious  ornaments  of  modern  poetry." — Bp.  Hors- 
ley's  Pref.  to  his  version. 

*  Prim.  Psal. 

t  In  A.  D.  1556,  versified  psalms  were  commonly  sung 
in  their  assemblies.    The  whole  Book  of  Psalms,  however, 


60  MODERN  HISTORY 

In  1649,  the  General  Assembly  at  Edin- 
burgh, adopted  the  version  which  she  still 
uses.  The  ground-work  of  this  w7as  laid  by 
Sir  Thomas  Rouse,  who  is  represented  as  a 
man  of  piety.  It  was  recommended  to  the 
attention  of  the  Assembly  of  Divines  at  West- 
minster. Under  their  correcting  hand,  in  the 
course  of  several  years,  it  was  improved.  It 
was  then  forwarded  to  the  north,  and  was,  by 
the  supreme  judicatory  of  the  Scottish  Church, 
committed  to  committees  for  revision.  Years 
were  by  them  employed  in  comparing  it  with 
the  original  Hebrew,  and  in  attempting  to 
carry  as  much  as  possible  of  the  spirit  of  the 
primitive  composition,  into  the  translation.* 
And,  the  man  of  literature  and  taste,  who 
shall  carefully  examine  the  subject,  it  is  be- 
lieved, will  admit,  that  they  admirably  suc- 
ceeded. Like  the  version  of  the  Bible,  this 
of  the  Psalms,  is  not  remarkable  for  elegance 
of  diction  ;  but  it  is  remarkably  literal.  To 
present  the  Book  of  Psalms  in  its  native  sim- 
plicity, beauties,  and  force,  was  the  aim  of 
the  Westminster  divines,  as  well  as  of  the 
Assembly  at  Edinburgh.  To  the  man  of 
God,  to  the  child  of  grace,  and  man  of  legi- 
timate taste,   these  characteristics  must  be  a 

was  not  put  into  measure  before   1559  ;f  from  which  pe- 
riod, a  version,  first  published  at  Geneva,  was  authorized, 
till  superseded  by  that  still  used  in  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
t  M'Crie's  Life  of  Knox,  p.' 415. 

*  Acts  of  Assembly,  pp.  353.  428.  479. 


OF  PSALMODY.  61 

recommendation.*  In  the  American  churches, 
this  version  was  extensively  used ;  and  in  all 
the  Presbyterian  churches  of  the  southern  and 
middle  states,  till  a  recent  period,  none  other 
was  admitted. 


*  The  testimony  of  Dr.  Ridgety,  in  his  system  of  divinity, 
is  not  only  decidedly  in  favour  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  be- 
ing suitable  for  the  praises  of  the  New  Testament  church; 
but  also  for  the  use  of  the  Scottish  version.  He  gives  it 
the  preference  above  every  other.  Boswell,  the  friend  of 
Johnson,  who  gave  stability  to  our  language,  was  a  man 
of  talent  and  of  taste :  he,  too,  gives  his  testimony  in  fa- 
vour of  this  version,  as  the  best  extant. 

Take  his  own  words  :  "  The  phrase,  '  vexing  thoughts,' 
is,  I  think,  very  expressive.  It  has  been  familiar  to  me 
from  my  childhood ;  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  c  Psalms  in 
metre,'  used  in  the  churches  of  Scotland,  Psal.  xliii.  5. 

Why  art  thou  then  cast  clown  my  soul  ? 

What  should  discourage  thee  ? 
And  why  with  vexing  thoughts  art  thou 

Disquieted  in  me  ? 

Some  allowance  must  no  doubt  be  made  for  early  prepos- 
sessions. But  at  a  maturer  period  of  life,  after  looking  at 
various  metrical  versions  of  the  Psalms,  I  am  well  satisfied 
that  the  version  Used  in  Scotland,  is,  upon  the  whole,  the 
best ;  and  that  it  is  vain  to  think  of  having  a  better.  It 
has  in  general  a  simplicity,  and  unction  of  sacred  poesy ; 
and  in  many  parts  its  transfusion  is  admirable." — Life  of 
Vr.  Johnson,  vol.  2.  p.  282. 

The  justly  celebrated  Rev.  William  Romaine,  likewise, 
gives  his  testimony  to  the  excellence  of  this  version.  I 
shall  gratify  my  reader  with  a  few  extracts  from  his  Essay 
on  Psalmody,  a  work  which  very  lately  came  to  my  hand. 
"  Sternhold  and  Hopkins,"  he  observes,  "  had  a  scru- 
pulous regard  for  the  very  words  of  Scripture — the  versi- 
fication is  not  always  smooth — but  what  is  a  thousand 
times  more  valuable,  it  is  generally  the  sentiment  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  This  should  silence  every  objection — it  is  the 
word  of  God.     This  version  comes  nearer  the  original  than 

6 


62  MODERN  HISTORY 

Early  in  the  last  century,  Dr.  Watts,  in 
England,  published  his  Imitation  of  some  of 
David's  Psalms,  accompanied  with  other 
hymns.  These  he  introduced  to  public  no- 
tice by  prefaces,  containing  a  bitter  libel 
against  the  original  songs  of  Zion.  The 
days  of  Puritanic  zeal  had  then  passed  away. 
The  licentious  and  unprincipled  reigns  of  the . 
second  Charles  and  James,  had  given  a  shock 
to  the  morals  and  to  the  piety  of  the  nation, 
under  the  influence  of  which  they  languished, 
and  were  ready  to  expire.  The  principles  of 
infidelity  had  extended  to  every  department 
of  the  social  body,  and  were,  in  both  church 
and  state,  more  extensively  embraced  than  is 
generally  admitted.  Comparatively  few  of 
Zion's  most  conspicuous  sons  ^escaped  the 
contagion  of  a  maddening  philosophy,  which, 
in  its  phrenzy,  more  openly,  at  a  succeeding 
period,  expressed  the  idle  hope  of  universally 
desolating  the  heritage  of  God.  At  such  a 
time,  it  is  not  strange,  that  an  indulgent  ear 
should  be  given  to  unhallowed  suggestions 
against  any  portion  of  the  word  of  God;  and 
especially  when  recommended  by  the  im- 
posing pretensions  to  superior  liberality.     In 


any  I  have  seen,  except  the  Scotch,  which  I  have  made  use 
of  when  it  appeared  to  me  better  expressed  than  the  Eng- 
lish. Here  is  every  thing  great,  and  noble,  and  divine, 
although  not  in  Dr.  Watts'  way  or  style.  It  is  not — as 
good  old  Mr.  Hall  used  to  call  it,  Watts'  jingle" — Ito- 
tn aine's  Works ,  vol.  8.  p.  339. 


OF  PSALMODY.  63 

the  days  of  martyrdom  for  reading  the  word 
of  God,  it  was  not  deemed  unsuitable,  in  songs 
of  praise,  to  employ  the  language  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  But  other  times  succeeded,  when  re- 
ligions sentiments  of  another  cast,  and  piety 
of  another  tone  were  countenanced."*  It  was 
found  that  the  use  of  scripture  songs  "  flat- 
tened devotion,  awakened  regret,  and  touched 
all  the  springs  of  uneasiness  in  the  worship- 
per's breast."f  Such  were  the  sentiments, 
and  such  was  the  language  of  Dr.  Watts. 

The  Imitation  of  the  Psalms  by  Dr.  Watts, 
and  his  hymns,  recommended  by  the  senti- 
ments of  his  prefaces,  found  their  way  across 
the  Atlantic,  and  gradually  obtained  footing 
in  the  Congregational  churches  of  New  Eng- 
land. As  these  advanced,  the  scripture  songs 
retired,  and,  with  them,  no  small  share  of  the 
orthodox  principles,  the  theological  intelli- 
gence, and  the  holy  practice,  that  had  previ- 
ously distinguished  the  Puritans  of  our  coun- 
try, the  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims. 

The  Synod  of  New- York  and  Philadelphia, 


*  "  Human  compositions  are  preferred  to  divine.  Man's 
poetry  is  exalted  above  the  poetry  of  the  Holy  Ghost. — 
The  word  of  man  has  got  a  preference  in  the  church  above 
the  word  of  God. — It  is  not  difficult  to  account  for  this 
strange  practice.  Our  people  had  lost  sight  of  the  mean- 
ing of  the  Psalms.  They  did  not  see  their  relation  to  Jesus 
Christ.  This  happened  when  vital  religion  began  to  decay 
among  us,  more  than  a  century  ago." — Romaine's  Works. 
vol.8,  p.  321. 

t  Dr.  Watts. 


64  MODERN  HISTORY 

now  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  had  continued  to  employ  the 
scripture  psalms,  and  in  that  version  used  in 
the  Church  of  Scotland.  A  majority  of  their 
people,  it  is  believed,  were  favourable  to  that 
version.  Their  connexion  with  the  Congre- 
gationalists  of  New  England,  contributed  to 
recommend  to  their  attention  the  Imitation  of 
Dr.  Watts,  as  improved  by  Mr.  Barlow.  It 
was  at  length  adopted  by  the  supreme  judica- 
tory of  this  church;  and  thus,  for  the  first 
time,  a  judicial  sanction  was  given  to  that 
composure,  declaring  it  more  fit  for  Christian 
worship  than  a  correct  version  of  inspired 
Psalms!  The  decision  was  not  received  very 
cordially  by  many  of  her  members.  Violent 
animosities,  bitterness  of  spirit,  Schisms  and 
divisions,  were,  for  a  time,  the  most  promi- 
nent consequences  of  the  measure. 

Other  denominations  of  Christians,  when 
they  saw  the  most  numerous,  and  most  influ- 
ential body  of  professors  in  the  United  States, 
abandon  the  songs  of  inspiration,  practically 
declaring  them  unfit  for  Christian  lips,  took 
the  alarm.  They  considered  the  language  of 
Dr.  Watts,  on  this  subject,  to  be  impious. 
His  arguments  in  favour  of  his  own  compo- 
sitions, were  viewed  as  invectives  against  an 
important  portion  of  the  word  of  God.  Hence, 
in  their  public  ministrations,  they  testified 
against  the  ground  he  had  taken,  and  the 
very  unhappy  language  he  had  used,  as  well 


OF  PSALMODY.  6b 

as  against  those  who  had  entered  into  his 
views,  by  the  adoption  of  his  productions,  in 
place  of  the  Book  of  Psalms ;  while  they  vin- 
dicated the  integrity  of  the  oracles  of  truth, 
holding  them  all  to  be  profitable  for  '  instruc- 
tion in  righteousness.' — The  press,  too,  was 
enlisted  in  the  contest,  and  judicial  deeds, 
warning  against,  and  forbidding  the  use  of 
those  innovations,  were  passed.  The  Asso- 
ciate, the  Associate  Reformed,  and  Reformed 
Presbyterian  churches,  were  all  conspicuous 
in  defence  of  inspired  psalms  and  hymns,  as 
suitable  to  the  worship  of  the  church  of  God. 
It  is  profitable,  though  not  always  pleasant, 
to  mark  the  origin,  progress,  and  change  of 
opinions,  and  their  correspondent  practices. 
How  often,  alas!  is  the  declaration  of  princi- 
ples and  order,  the  offspring,  not  of  deep  laid 
conviction,  but  of  transient  circumstances. 
The  professions  of  public  bodies  afford  but 
little  security  for  the  course  the  individuals 
composing  them  will  pursue.  We  well  re- 
member the  time  when  one  of  these  churches, 
the  Associate  Reformed,  zealously  declared, 
and  repeatedly  sanctioned  deeds,  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  introduction  of  human  composures 
in  the  worship  of  God.  Watts'  Imitation  and 
hymns  were  in  view,  when,  in  a  judicial  act, 
this  church,  after  a  panegyric  on  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  declared — "  Nor  shall  any  compo- 
sures, merely  human,  be  sung  in  any  of  the 
A  striate  Reformed  churches."  It  was,  in- 
6* 


66  .        MODERN  HISTORY 

deed,  by  some  of  the  members  of  that  church, 
as  well  as  by  others,  suspected  that  the  words, 
merely  human,  were  calculated,  if  not  intended, 
to  cover  a  retreat  from  this  ground  at  some 
convenient  time.  But  the  suspicion  was 
deemed  ungenerous,  and  the  expression  of  it 
was  branded  with  the  charge  of  slander.  The 
dubious  terms  were  explained,  so  as  to  miti- 
gate the  fears  of  the  scrupulous.  The  ami- 
able Mr.  Hemphill,  in  his  explanation  of 
what  is  a  merely  human  composure,  fully  takes 
in  all  such  as  the  poetic  works  of  Dr.  Watts. 
He  concludes  his  remarks  in  these  words  : 
"  We  prefer  a  translation  of  these  divine 
songs,  (the  scripture  psalms)  to  human  com- 
posures, however  excellent."  In  this,  there  is 
no  doubt,  Mr.  Hemphill  wans  sincere.  Sus- 
picions existed,  however,  that  all  of  his  bre- 
thren were  not  equally  so.  Whether  these 
suspicions  were  well  or  ill  founded,  is  not  for 
us  to  say.  Subsequent  events  will  not,  per- 
haps, justify  them.  Human  conduct  is  much 
influenced  by  circumstances ;  and  purity  of 
intention  may  be  consistent  with  contradic- 
tory acts. 

In  the  neighbourhood  of  those  churches, 
where  the  compositions  of  Dr.  Watts  were 
adopted,  and  produced  dissatisfaction,  the 
Associate  Reformed  ministers  were  not  scru- 
pulous in  keeping  alive  the  discontents  that 
existed.  It  is  no  impeachment  of  their  mo- 
tives, when  it  is  stated  as  a  fact,  that  they  pro- 


OF  PSALMODY.  ,  67 

fited  by  these  discontents.  Separation  from 
former  connexions,  on  the  ground  of  psal- 
mody, was  encouraged;  and,  by  such  as  se- 
parated, their  churches,  in  various,  parts  of 
the  continent,  were  enlarged,  and  some  almost 
wholly  formed.  The  accession  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Rankin,  and  multitudes  of  private  mem- 
bers, from  the  Presbyterian  Church,  is  still 
fresh  in  our  recollection.  But,  in  the  mean 
time,  some  of  the  brethren,  when  occasionally 
called  to  direct  the  public  worship  in  the  con- 
gregations of  another  connexion,  used,  with- 
out hesitation,  the  Imitation  of  the  Psalms. 

This  was  thought,  by  many,  not  to  com- 
port with  that  candour,  and  regard  to  con- 
sistency, which  should  characterize  the  move- 
ments of  that  ministry  which  had,  by  so  many 
pledges,  invited  public  confidence  to  repose  in 
its  stability.  To  denounce,  in  public  deeds, 
as  will-worship,  the  use  of  all  such  compo- 
sures as  the  hymns  of  Dr.  Watts;  to  employ 
this  as  an  instrument  of  rending  churches, 
and  of  breaking  up  former  connexions;  while, 
in  other  places,  they  practised  what  had  been 
publicly  denounced  as  a  corruption  of  reli- 
gious worship,  and  acted  upon  as  a  sufficient 
ground  of  separation  in  ecclesiastical  com- 
munion, was  deemed  by  not  a  few,  who  pro- 
bably did  not  sufficiently  qualify  the  severity 
of  their  conclusions  by  the  mitigations  of  cha- 
rity, not  easily  reconcileable  with  candour. 


68  MODERN  HISTORY 

111  their  session  of  May,  1S16,  their  General 
Synod  passed  an  act,  admitting  into  their 
churches  the  psalm  book  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  according  to  its  last  revision. 
This  measure  set  aside  their  former  act  on  this 
subject.  Their  resolution  runs  in  the  follow- 
ing terms :  "  Resolved,  That  the  version  of  the 
Book  of  Psalms,  in  the  Old  Testament,  re- 
cently prepared  for  the  use  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church  in  America,  be  permitted  to  be 
used,"  &c.  Now,  to  a  person  unacquainted 
with  the  real  matter  of  fact,  it  would  appear 
from  this,  that  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
had  recently  prepared  a  version  of  the  Book 
of  Psalms.  Nothing,  however,  can  be  farther 
from  the  truth.  All  that  the  committee  of  that 
church  was  authorized  to  do  in  the  matter, 
was,  to  make  an  "  improvecTand  enlarged" 
selection  of  psalms  and  hymns.  The  com- 
mittee fulfilled  their  appointment,  by  giving 
their  psalm  book  a  character  more  remoteirom 
the  "  Book  of  Psalms,  in  the  Old  Testament," 
than  was  the  one  which  they  formerly  used. 
The  truth  is,  it  is  a  selection  chiefly  from 
Watts,  and  embraces  a  practical  recognition 
of  the  very  unwarrantable  sentiments  of  the 
Doctor,  respecting  the  Book  of  Psalms.  For 
instance,  to  his  twenty-four  lines,  in  place  of 
the  whole  109th  Psalm,  as  well  as  to  other 
changes  and  omissions,  a  sanction  is  thus 
given.     To  e;o  thus  far,  these  sons  of  the  ve- 


OF  PSALMODY.  69 

nerable  Church  of  Holland,  had  to  violate  the 
principles  of  her  constitution.*  The  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  brethren  have  adopted  this 
selection,  and,  shall  we  say,  unwittingly  pre- 
sented it  to  their  people  as  a  recent  version  of 
the  Book  of  Psalms,  in  the  Old  Testament ! 
Since  these  brethren  are  now  persuaded  that 
they  were,  on  this  subject,  formerly  in  the 
wrong- ;  and  being  now  satisfied  that  their 
congregations  would  be  more  edified  by  using 
a  mutilated  imitation  of  the  Psalms,  than 
by  the  Psalms  themselves;  and  seeing  they 
act  upon  this,  would  it  not  have  been  more 
manly,  at  once,  to  have  declared  in  favour 
of  the  compositions  of  Dr.  Watts  ?  If  the 
rejection  of  inspired  songs  was  the  price  of 
extended  union,  and  the  adoption  of  their 
rivals  its  destined  bond,  we  would  suppose 
this  course  of  openness  more  eligible,  than 
that  which  is  pursued.  That  they,  in  this  bu- 
siness, a  business  which  will  long  be  deplored, 
aimed  at  the  extension  of  fraternal  commu- 
nion, and  the  edification  of  Zion,  charity  in- 
duces us  to  suppose;  for  the  hypothesis  of 
playing  a  double  game  with  the  scrupulosity 
of  their  own  people,  and  the  immobility  of 
the  Holland  Church,  is  refuted,  we  would 
hope,  not  only  by  a  liberal  construction  of 
conduct,  but  also  by  the  character  of  those 
whose  agency  carried  the  measure. 

*  See  Comfit,  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  Art.  69, 


70  MODERN  HISTORY 

It  is  nevertheless  painful  to  have  confidence 
met  by  disappointment.  The  course  pursued 
by  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  has  not. 
been  marked  by  any  great  degree  of  con- 
sistency. Her  decisions  and  her  counter  de- 
cisions, her  constitution  and  discordant  ad- 
ministration, do  not  authorize  that  confidence, 
which  the  personal  respectability  of  her  minis- 
try would  seem  to  invite.  I  would  not  im- 
peach her  motives  of  action ;  because,  in  a 
future  expose,  she  may  vindicate  them  as  cor- 
rect. I  will  not  therefore  assert,  that  she,  as 
a  distinct  Christian  society,  was  formed  on  the 
principle  of  expediency  ;  nor  will  I  say,  that 
in  her  various  changes  she  has  acted  merely 
on  this  principle,  for,  by  itself,  it  is  a  paltry 
one.  Charity  forbids  severity  of  animad- 
version, and  whatever  may  be  the  result,  can- 
dour and  liberality  instruct  us  to  hope,  that  it 
will  not  only  be  overruled  for  general  good, 
but  will  also  develope  the  purest  motives  to 
have  actuated  those  gentlemen  who  have  ap- 
peared conspicuous,  in  the  origin  and  pro- 
gress of  these  measures.  But,  however  well 
meant,  the  measure  respecting  psalmody  is  a 
bad  one.  It  is  at  once  an  abandonment  of  a 
divine  institution,  a  desertion  of  those  who 
plead  for  it,  and  the  violation  of  a  solemn 
pledge  to  the  contrary.  For  this  we  should 
weep  in  secret.* 

*  Upon  the  subject  of  Psalmody  and  Catholic  Commu- 
nion, the  members  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church  have 


OF  PSALMODY.  71 

From  an  impartial  review  of  the  church's 
history,  ancient  and  modern,  we  are  autho- 
rized to  infer,  that  in  every  age  her  psalmody 
embraced  the  Book  of  Psalms.  Without  any 
prejudice  to  their  cause,  who  are  the  advo- 
cates of  Zion's  songs,  it  may  be,  and  is  ad- 
mitted, that  human  composures  existed,  and 
in  some  sections  of  the  Christian  common- 
wealth had  a  place  beside  inspired  compo- 
sures. But  their  existence  and  use.  neither 
prove,  nor  disprove,  a  divine  appointment. 
That  fact  must  be  settled  by  other  evidence 
than  the  practice  of  either  ancient  or  modern 
days. 

That  the  Book  of  Psalms,  in  whole  or  in 
part,  was  unfit  for  Christian  praise,  was  a 
discovery  left  to  be  made,  in  the  light  of  con- 
tending systems,  political,  moral,  and  re- 
ligious, in  the  eighteenth  century.  Ancient 
piety,  I  think,  would  not  have  listened  with 
patience  to  be  told,  that  the  words  of  inspi- 
ration "  darkened  our  views  of  God  the  Savi- 
our, tended  to  make  heresy  triumphant,"  and 
that  David  was  unfit  to  appear  in  the  sanctu- 
ary, till  converted  into  a  Christian  by  such  a 
man  as  Dr.  Watts.     Had  we  no  information 


divided:  the  people,  and  a  majority  of  the  ministers  of  the 
west  and  the  south,  profess  to  abide  by  their  standards,  as 
settled  in  1799.  Those  toward  the  north  have  formed  a 
confederacy  with  the  Presbyterians  of  the  Genera)  Assem- 
bly; and  a  union  with  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  is  in 
progress,  which  will  extinguish  their  name,  and  close  their 
existence  as  a  distinct  body. 


72  MODERN  HISTORY 

on  the  subject  but  what  the  Doctor's  prefaces 
supply,  we  should  be  tempted  to  inquire,  whe- 
ther he  was  indeed  friendly  to  our  religion,  or 
whether  he  was  an  enemy  in  disguise.  We 
have  read  "  Christianity  as  old  as  the  Cre- 
ation;" an  imposing  title,  covering  a  bold  at- 
tack upon  divine  revelation.  An  Imitation  of 
a  portion  of  David's  Psalms,  accompanied  by 
a  libel  against  the  rest,  by  Dr.  Watts,  pro- 
mises little  more  than  the  insidious  publica- 
tion of  Mr.  Tindal.  And  certainly  if  there 
be,  as  is  more  than  intimated  by  the  Doctor 
and  his  friends,  a  contradiction  between  the 
word  of  God  in  the  Old  Testament,  and  the 
word  of  God  in  the  New  Testament,  both 
must  fall.  The  force  on  the  one  side  would 
then  be  equal  to  that  on  the  other.  Forces 
equal  and  contrary,  effect  their  mutual  de- 
struction. At  this  rate,  we  have  no  divine 
revelation.  So  the  deist  has  said;  and,  as 
often  as  he  has  said  it,  his  assertion  has  been 
refuted.  And  though  the  imitator  of  the 
Psalms  has  furnished  premises  for  a  similar 
conclusion,  we  will  not  believe  him;  for  we 
know  his  premises  are  false,  and  the  conclu- 
sions, we  trust,  he  did  not  himself  believe. 
Nay,  though  he  asserted  the  existence  of  a 
contradiction,*  it  was  not,  we  wish  to  believe, 
a  settled  article  of  his  creed. 


*  "  Psal.  lxix.  26 — 28.  is  so  contrary  to  the  new  com- 
mandment ofloving  our  CJiemies'"  &c. —  Watts'  Pre f. -p.  5. 


OF  PSALMODY.  73 

The  imitator  proposed  to  convert  David, 
the  sweet  singer  of  Israel,  into  a  Christian.* 
The  Psalms,  such  of  them  at  least  as  he 
thought  worthy  of  imitation,  must  be  made 
to  speak  a  language,  which,  according  to  the 
reformer  of  David,  the  Holy  Ghost  did  not 
make  them  speak.  Still,  however,  reformed 
as  David  was,  he  was  unfit  for  the  sanctua- 
ries of  America.  The  Imitation  and  hymns 
of  Dr.  Watts  were  adapted  to  the  British  mo- 
narchy; America  had,  happily,  become  both 
independent  and  republican.  The  reformer 
must  be  reformed.  Those  compositions 
which  superseded  the  hymns  of  inspiration, 
must,  after  our  revolution,  be  "  adapted  to 
the  Christian  worship  in  the  United  States,' * 
and  Joel  Barlow,  Esq.  performs  the  important 
work. 

In  these  days  of  tumult  and  commotion, 
there  is  nothing  wonderful.  Astonishing 
events  pass  in  succession  so  close,  that  time 
is  not  given  them  to  impress  the  mind.  The 
commotion  will,  however,  subside,  and  the 
tumult  will  be  stilled.  What  is  now  permitted 
to  pass  by,  without  remark,  will  fill  the  men 
of  a  future  age  with  surprise.  When  they 
shall  have  admitted,  in  its  full  bearing,  the 
truth,  that  God  is  not  affected  by  political 
changes,  and  that  the  revolutions  of  empires 
do  not  authorize  a  change  in  the  appointments 

*  Watts'  Pref.  p.  10. 

7 


74  MODERN  HISTORY,  &X. 

of  Christ ;  it  may  perhaps  seem  strange  to 
them,  that  many  pious  men  deemed  that  the 
Christian  worship,  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic,  might  be  something  different  from 
what  it  was  in  the  United  States;  or  that  our 
worship,  when  independent  States,  ought  to 
be  changed  from  what  it  was  when  we  were 
dependent  colonies.  They  will  readily  per- 
ceive, that,  on  the  principle  which  would  jus- 
tify,,the  hypothesis,  no  two  individuals  could 
ever  unite  in  the  use  of  the  same  psalm ;  be- 
cause it  is  not  likely  that  their  circumstances 
would  ever  be  precisely  the  same.  If  what 
many  of  our  eastern  friends  have  said  of  Mr. 
Barlow  be  correct,  that  he  was  an  infidel,  it 
may  too,  perhaps,  sound  strange,  that  he  was 
employed  to  furnish  them  with  evangelical 
songs  for  their  solemn  praise.*  But  in  human 
life  there  are  moments  of  inexplicable  infatu- 
ation. How  else  account  for  the  strange 
course  pursued,  in  reference  to  psalmody,  by 
men  of  such  elevated  standing  as  the  Ameri- 
can churches  can  claim  as  their  own  ?  Such 
events,  with  a  distinct  and  solemn  voice,  urge 
upon  our  attention  the  divine  injunctions — 
(  Be  not  high-minded,  but  fear' — and  i  lean 
not  unto  thine  own  understanding.' 


*  I  would  not  be  understood  to  assert,  that  Mr.  Barlow 
was  an  infidel.  He  may  have  been  so,  but  I  have  not  evi- 
dence to  justify  me  in  saying  it;  many,  however,  who  em- 
ploy his  revision  of  the  Imitation  of  the  Psalms,  have  pro- 
fessed to  believe  that  he  was,  at  least,  no  friend  to  Christi- 
anity, 


lo 


LETTER  IV. 


REASONS  FOR  RETAINING  THE  BOOK 
OF  PSALMS. 

Subject  stated —  Versions — Arguments — Divine  institution — 
Suitableness  of  matter — Excellence — Human  compositions 
not  appointed — Bad  arguments — Evil  tendency  of  pre- 
ferring human  to  inspired  songs — Summary. 

Dear  Brethren, 

IN  this  letter  I  propose  a  brief  discussion 
of  the  following  question:  Ought  the  Book  of 
Psalms  to  be  used  still  9  in  the  public  psalmody 
of  the  church?  On  the  determination  of  this 
question,  the  issue  of  the  controversy  depends. 
The  matter  in  debate  should  not  be  con- 
founded with  others,  that  may  be  but  very  re- 
motely or  incidentally  connected  with  it. 

The  inquiry,  then,  is  not,  whether  it  be 
lawful  to  use,  in  the  praises  of  God,  any  other 
inspired  song,  besides  what  are  found  in  the 
Book  of  Psalms  ?  This,  so  far  as  I  know, 
has  never  been  a  matter  of  contention.*   Nor 


*  This  subject  came  before  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Scottish  Church,  in  1647,  1648,  1686,  and  before  the  Asso- 
ciate (Burgher)  Synod,  in  1747.f  These  bodies  appear  to 
have  fully  admitted  the  lawfulness  of  using-,  in  psalmody, 
any  scripture  song.  But  they  approved  not  of  loose  para- 
t-Acts  of  Assembly — Rev.  R.  Erskine's  Works,  vol.  10. 


76  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

is  it  any  matter  of  dispute,  in  the  present  in- 
stance, what  version  of  the  inspired  songs  shall 
be  used.  The  question  at  issue  is — Shall  we 
have  any  fair  and  full  version  of  this  divine 
Book,  as  the  matter  of  our  praise?  Those 
on  the  one  side  expressly  take  the  affirmative, 
and  say,  Let  us  have  the  best  version ;  and, 
if  practicable,  let  us  have  a  better  than  any 
now  extant  On  the  other  side,  this  has  been 
as  explicitly  refused.  The  Book  of  Psalms 
is  actually  excluded  from  the  psalmody  of  their 
churches.  That  against  which  we  remonstrate, 
is  the  expulsion  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  by  an 
imitation  ;  the  exclusion  of  the  spiritual  songs 
of  inspiration,  by  adopting  the  collected  volumes 
of  hymns  which  are  not  inspired. 

I  offer  only  a  word  more  respecting  ver- 
sions. I  have  said,  the  dispute  is  not  about 
versions;  this  should  be  kept  in  recollection. 
Let  us  have  that  which  justly  merits  the  name 


phrases.  Their  caution,  and  long  exclusive  use  of  the 
Book  of  Psalms,  show  that  they  deemed  it  sufficient;  and 
that  any  thing  beyoad  it,  was  rather  an  allowable  indul- 
gence, than  an  indispensable  privilege. 

Upon  the  merits  of  this  question  I  give  no  opinion. 
Whatever  may  be  said  of  its  lawfulness,  we  know  it  is  not 
expedient,  to  seek  the  matter  of  our  psalmody  beyond  the 
Book  of  Psalms.  There  is  a  sufficiency.  It  is  selected  by 
the  Spirit  of  God,  and  by  the  church's  Head  given  for  this 
purpose.  True  religion  has  never  progressed  where  it  has 
been  departed  from.  Were  my  opinion  asked,  I  would 
say — Study,  understand,  digest,  use  well,  the  Book  of 
Psalms ;  and,  it  is  more  than  probable,  you  will  be  con- 
tent. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS,  77 

qta  version,  and  the  contest  shall  end.  We 
ought,  indeed,  to  select  the  best.  We  believe 
that  used  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  in  the  As- 
sociate and  Reformed  Presbyterian  Churches, 
is  the  best.  We  do  not  say  it  is  perfect;  it  is 
susceptible  of  improvement,  as  the  version  of 
our  Bible  is ;  but  we  have  none  better ;  we 
have  no  other  one  so  good.  If  the  genius  of 
the  original,  the  language  of  the  Spirit  of 
God,  simplicity  of  diction,  energy  of  thought, 
striking  imagery  and  transforming  sentiment, 
be  recommendations, — it  is  believed  this  trans- 
lation has  them,  in  a  degree  to  which  no  other 
one,  in  verse,  in  our  language  can  lay  claim. 
We  know,  indeed,  other  compositions,  the 
verbiage  of  which  glides  more  smoothly  along. 
And,  to  those  who  pay  a  greater  deference  to 
sound  than  to  sentiment,  it  is  not  doubted 
such  will  afford  more  pleasure.  But  the  man 
of  mind,  the  scholar  of  cultivated  taste,  the 
Christian  of  exalted  piety,  will,  when  left  to 
the  decision  of  their  own  judgment,  unite  in 
the  preference  of  sense  to  sound,  of  body  to 
shadow,  and  of  the  word  of  God  to  that  of 
man.  In  more  cases  than  that  of  psalmody, 
the  corruption  of  religious  taste,  from  a  rage 
of  innovation,  a  spirit  of  easy  accommoda- 
tion, neutrality  of  mind,  or  causes  of  equally 
unworthy  character,  is  lamented  by  not  a  few. 
But  of  this  enough.  I  proceed  to  state  and 
vindicate  the  following  position  : — 

t  rORRECT  VERSION  OF  THE  WHOLE  BcOK 
7* 


v/ 


78  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

of  Psalms,  should  be  employed  in  the 
psalmody  of  the  church  of  christ. 

I  vindicate  this  assertion,  on  the  ground  of 
divine  appointment — on  the  ground  of  the 
suitableness  of  this  Book — of  its  superior  ex- 
cellence above  all  human  composures — of  the 
uncertainty  of  the  divine  permission  of  such 
human  composures — of  the  unsatisfactory  na- 
ture of  the  arguments  used  to  recommend 
them — and  the  dangerous  consequences  of 
their  introduction  into  the  public  worship  of 
the  church. 

Divine  appointment  is  my  first  reason  for 
the  continued  use  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  in 
the  praises  offered  to  God  in  Zion.  The  com- 
positions of  this  Book  were  given  for  this 
purpose.  They  were  inscribed  to  the  master 
of  song  in  the  sanctuary;  and  even  the  most 
personal  meditations  of  the  inspired  Psalmist 
were  so  addressed.  They  were  actually  em- 
ployed in  the  church  of  God,  with  his  ap- 
probation ;  and  were  suitable  for  the  service 
of  praise.  Their  form,  their  nature,  and  their 
designation,  unite  in  pointing  out  their  use. 
I  do  not  rest  the  proof  of  the  divine  institu- 
tion of  these  sacred  odes,  as  the  matter  of  the 
church's  psalmody,  on  the  simple  fact  of  a 
reforming  king  of  Judah  commanding  that 
they  should  be  employed.*  I  add  to  that  evi- 
dence the  facts,  that  in  the  days  of  inspiration 

■r  ■'-— —  

*  2  Chron.  xxix.  30, 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  79 

and  prophecy,  these  divine  compositions  were 
so  used  ;  that  their  name  and  composition  in- 
timate that  to  have  been  their  appropriate  use; 
and,  that  their  matter,  and  their  structure,  ren- 
der them  fit  for  this  service  of  the  tabernacle 
of  God,  under  every  dispensation  of  his  grace. 
That  the  hymn  sung  by  our  Lord  and  his 
disciples,  after  the  institution  of  the  eucharistic 
supper,  was  a  portion  of  that  part  of  the  Book 
of  Psalms,  called  the  Hillel  by  the  Jews,  and 
which  they  usually  sung  at  the  paschal  so- 
lemnity, is  admitted  as  more  than  probable, 
by  all,  except  those  individuals  who  may  have 
some  private  purpose  to  uphold  by  its  denial.**' 
That  in  the  Book  of  Psalms  there  are  ty- 
pical allusions  to  the  usages  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament, no  more  unfits  it  for  Christian  wor- 
ship, than  did  the  New  Testament  language 
of  many  of  the  Psalms  render  them  unfit  for 
the  devotions  of  the  Israelites ;  or  than  New 

*  ••  As  to  the  hymn  itself,  we  know  from  the  universal 
consent  of  Jewish  antiquity,  that  it  was  composed  of  Psalm* 
113.  114,  115,  116,  117,"  and  118,  termed  by  the  Jew* 
halel,  from  halelu-jah,  the  first  word  in  Psalm  113th. 
These  six  psalms  were  always  sung  at  every  paschal  so- 
lemnity. They  sung  this  great  hilltl  on  account  of  the 
five  great  benefits  referred  to  in  it;  viz.  1.  The  exodu> 
from  Egypt.  2.  The  miraculous  division  of  the  Red  Sea 
3.  The  promulgation  of  the  law.  4.  The  resurrection  of 
the  dead.  5.  The  passion  of  Messiah." — Clarkt  's  +Xote  on 
Mat.  xxvi.  3D. 

See  also  Ravanelli  Biblioth.  under  the  word  hymnus. 
Lightfoot  says  on  this  subject,  "  He  who  could  have  in- 
spired every  disciple  to  have  been  a  David — sings  the 
P>alm>  of  David."—  Works,  vol.  2.  p.  1160. 


80  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

Testament  allusions  to  ancient  rites,  prov6  it 
unsuitable  for  a  Christian  directory.  Objec- 
tions against  the  continued  use  of  inspired 
songs,  on  this  ground,  indicate  such  a  defec- 
tive degree  of  information,  as  should  not  be 
hastily  imputed,  even  to  those  who  possess 
but  very  common  facilities  for  Christian  in- 
struction. 

For  the  use  of  these  songs,  we  have  New 
Testament  authority.  Its  inspired  writers 
recognize  this  sacred  collection  of  inspired 
hymns,  under  the  name  of  the  Book  of  Psalms* 
Under  this  name,  we  do  not  know  that  they 
acknowledged  any  other.  If  they  did,  where 
is  it  now?  Listen  to  an  apostolic  command  : 
Is  any  merry?  let  him  sing  psalms. f  Had  the 
saints  of  those  days,  as  doubtless  they  did, 
expressed  the  sacred  gladness  of  their  hearts, 
in  singing  one  of  David's  Psalms,  would  that 
have  been  an  act  of  obedience,  or  of  disobe- 
dience ?  At  this  day  none  will,  I  presume, 
have  the  hardihood  to  say,  by  doing  so  they 
would  have  sinned  against  the  glory  of  the 
New  Testament.  The  act  would  have  been 
one  of  obedience.  Then  it  is  confessed,  that 
the  singing  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  is  an  insti- 
tution, even  under  the  present  dispensation, 
of  divine  authority. 

To  one  consideration  more,  under  this 
head,  we  should  carefully  attend.     It  is  this : 

* fcuke  xx.  42.  h  xxiv.  44.  Acts  i.  20.        i  James  v.  18. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  81 

the  whole  word  of  God  is  adapted  to  general 
edification ;  but  to  profit  by  it,  its  several  parts 
must  be  specially  applied  to  the  particular  ends 
for  which  they  are  given..  The  commands, 
the  promises,  the  examples,  of  Scripture,  for 
instance,  are  all  instructive,  generally;  but  in 
addition  to  this,  each  of  these  has  its  specific 
use.  Now,  the  well-instructed  saint  will  ap- 
ply these  several  portions,  according  to  their 
intention.  Not  to  employ  them  particularly, 
in  addition  to  a  general  utility,  for  the  special 
purposes  for  which  they  are  given,  would  be 
to  misuse  them ;  it  would  be,  to  say  the  least, 
criminally  to  neglect  them. 

The  application  of  the  remark  just  made, 
is  plain.  The  Book  of  Psalms  was  given  as 
a  part  of  that  revelation  which  is  profitable 
for  instruction ;  but  it  was,  especially,  given 
to  the  church  as  the  matter  of  her  psalmody ; 
not  as  a  model,  which  she  might  imitate  at 
pleasure,  and  substitute  the  imitation  in  place 
of  the  original,  but  as  songs  to  be  used  in  the 
exercise  of  praise:  and  they  were  accordingly 
so  employed.  Whatever  use,  then,  we  may 
make  of  them  otherwise,  if  we  set  them  aside, 
and  do  not  apply  them  to  this  specific  pur- 
pose, we  must  be  chargeable  with  neglecting 
them,  in  that  for  which  God  has  more  parti- 
cularly given  them.  To  this  point  I  request 
'  the  attention  of  such  as  may  honour  this  letter 
witli  a  reading.  To  take  away  from  its  ap- 
pointed use,  any  portion  of  sacred  scripture. 


82  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

is  tantamount  to  taking  it  from  the  Bible  of 
God. 

The  singing  of  praise,  publicly,  is  a  duty. 
It  is  not  an  extemporary  exercise;  it  requires 
a  form  of  psalmody.  God  has  provided  for 
this.  His  Spirit  has  dictated  a  great  variety 
of  songs — and  collected  into  one  Book,  for 
the  use  of  the  church,  those  he  judged  proper. 
The  question  then  is,  Shall  we  reject  that 
which  God  has  provided,  and  prefer  our  own 
effusions;  or  receive  his6?  Turn  it  as  you  will, 
this  is  really  the  inquiry.  In  this  collection 
are  to  be  found  psalms,  and  hymns,  and  spi- 
ritual songs.*  We  are  expressly  commanded 
to  sing  these,  Col.  iii.  16.  I  request  the  ob- 
jector, for  once,  not  to  quibble;  and,  again,  J 
demand  evidence  of  the  existence,  in  the  Apos- 
tolic age,  of  any  other  psalms,  and  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs,  than  those  contained  in 
Scripture.  The  proof  of  negatives  devolves 
not  on  me.     To  demand  it,  is  unfair. 

That  these  inspired  compositions  once  oc- 
cupied a  place  in  the  church  of  God,  by  di- 
vine appointment,  as  suitable  matter  of  her 


*  A  reference  to  Trommius'  Concordance  of  the  Septna- 
jjint,  under  the  word  'Tjuvicv,  Hymneo,  will  amply  prove, 
that  compositions  corresponding  to  the  hymn,  and  song,  of 
the  Greek  Testament,  are  abundant  in  the  Book  of  Psalms. 
Indeed  the  Greek  version  of  the  Psalms  has  only  to  be 
opened,  and  their  titles  prove  this;  and  the  Greek  version 
of  the  Old  Testament  was  generally  used  in  the  Apostolic 
a£e. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  C3 

psalmody,  will  not  now  be  seriously  denied.* 
The  church,  in  all  ages,  is  one.  Whatever 
institutions  she  has  once  received,  from  the 
hand  of  her  Lord,  she  is  bound  to  observe, 
until  he  shall  free  her  from  the  obligation,  or, 
by  an  act  of  his  authority,  deprive  her  of  the 
privilege.  But,  in  what  page  of  the  New- 
Testament  has  the  church's  Head  abrogated 
the  use  of  her  inspired  hymns  ?  or  forbidden 
her  children  the  consolations  they  so  often 
found,  in  chanting  them  to  his  praise  ?  The 
point  is  too  obvious  for  further  pursuit.  I  can- 
not bring  my  mind  to  reason  it  lower.  The 
consistent  Christian  will  at  once  admit — The 
Book  of  Psalms,  in  the  church's  psalmody, 
had  the  sanction  of  divine  authority;  that 
sanction  has  never  been  disannulled ;  there- 
fore, its  use,  as  such,  is  yet  of  God's  appoint- 
ment. 


*  u  Divine  institution  cannot  be  pleaded  with  any  plausi- 
bility, either  from  Scripture  or  reason/'  says  Dr.  L.  (Disc, 
p.  77.) — "  I  have  proved,"  says  Mr.  Freeman,  "  that  we 
have  no  authority,  divine  nor  human,  for  singing-  David's 
Psalms — they  should  not  be  used  as  a  system  of  psalmody." 
— P.  20.  Pray,  what  evidence  is  requisite  to  establish  an 
appointment  as  divine?  How  prove  the  divine  right  of 
church  government  ?  How  prove  the  divine  appointment 
of  infant  baptism  ?  Ah !  how  thoughtlessly  men  will  talk 
and  write.  And  yet  Mr.  F.  admits,  that  some  of  David's 
Psalms  may  be  used.  Yes,  even  without  appointment, 
divine  or  human;  and  that,  notwithstanding  his  assertion, 
that  no  one  of  these  Psalms  leads  to  God  through  Christ ! 
(P.  6,  et  alibi.)  This  shows  a  gospel  spirit  with  a  witness. 
Worship  without  divine  appointment!  worship,  as  a  deist, 
a  God  out  of  Christ !     Wonderful  concession  ! 


#4  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

The  adaptation  of  the  Book  of 
Psalms  to  the  purposes  of  sacred 
praise,  furnishes  me  with  a  second  argument 
for  its  continuance.  Have  we  beheld  the 
glory  of  God  ?  Are  we  desirous  of  cele- 
brating his  perfections,  that  are  so  illustriously 
displayed,  in  his  creative,  and  providential 
works  ?  This  inspired  Book  presents  us  with 
a  suitable  song  :  i  By  the  word  of  the  Lord 
were  the  heavens  made,  and  all  the  host  of 
them  by  the  breathing  of  his  mouth.  He 
gathereth  the  waters  of  the  sea  together  as  an 
heap :  he  layeth  up  the  depth  in  store-houses 
— He  spake  and  it  was  done,  he  commanded 
and  it  stood  fast.  The  heavens  declare  the 
glory  of  God;  and  the  firmament  sheweth 
his  handy  work.  Day  unto  day  uttereth 
speech,  and  night  unto  night  teacheth  know- 
ledge,'* &c.  And  how  inimitably  fine  the 
descriptions  of  Divine  Providence  are,  in  the 
104th  and  107th,  and  other  Psalms,  need  not 
be  told  to  the  man  of  taste  and  piety. 

Would  we  sing  the  frailty  and  sorrows  of 
man  ?  His  frailties  are  described  with  a  mas- 
ter's hand :  '  His  days  are  as  grass :  as  a 
flower  of  the  field,  so  he  flourisheth.  For  the 
wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone ;  and  the 
place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more.  Man  is 
like  to  vanity;  his  days  are  as  a  shadow  that 
passeth  away.'f      His   woes    are   delineated 

*  Ps.  xxxiii.  arid  xix. 

r  See  Psalms  xc»  ciii.  cix.  23.  cxliv.  4 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  35 

with  the  pen  of  sorrow.  In  Zion's  elegiac 
lines,  flow  such  tears  of  affliction  as  the  weep- 
ing muse  of  Greece  or  Rome  could  never 
shed.  The  penitent  sows  in  tears;  those  tears 
are  represented  as  his  bread  and  his  drink ; 
they  are  precious  in  the  sight  of  God;  he  re- 
cords their  number  in  his  book,  and  collects 
them  in  his  bottle.*  And  never  were  senti- 
ments of  deep  distress,  couched  in  language 
at  once  so  tender  and  so  emphatic,  as  in  the 
88th  Psalm.  The  griefs  of  a  public  spirit 
are  expressed  with  eloquence  divine.  Read, 
as  a  specimen  of  this,  the  79th  of  this  sacred 
collection,  and  then  turn  to  the  137th,  where 
an  unparalleled  group  of  the  tenderest  senti- 
ments, and  most  affecting  imagery  will  be 
found.  '  By  the  rivers  of  Babylon,  there  we 
sat  down:  yea,  we  wept,  when  we  remem- 
bered Zion.  We  hanged  our  harps  upon  the 
willows  in  the  midst  thereof.' 

Would  we,  in  the  song  we  sing  to  God,  di- 
late on  the  graces  of  the  Spirit,  and  on  their 
varied  actings  ?  would  we  sing  the  humbling, 
and  the  elevating  exercises  of  the  saint? 
These  are  themes  which  enter  largely  into  the 
composition,  and  constitute  no  small  share  of 
the  beauty,  of  our  Bible  Psalms.  They  have5 
too,  this  advantage  above  others;  they  are 
delineated  with  infallible  correctness. 

Is  it  our  wish  to  embrace  in  our  song,  the 

*  Ps.  lvi.  8.   Ixxx.  5.  h  cxxvi.  5. 

8 


86  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

distinguishing  blessings  of  salvation  ?  These 
are  found  in  our  divine  odes.  The  grace  of 
God  in  election,*  in  redemption,!  in  pardon,J 
in  communion,^  is  sung  in  these  inspired 
verses.  Here,  likewise,  the  saint  finds  as- 
surance of  safety  in  the  vale  of  death,  and  of 
victory  over  the  grave,  together  with  the  en- 
joyment of  eternal  life.||  These,  and  their 
kindred  blessings,  give  form  and  vitality  to 
the  whole  system  of  scripture  song. 

Do  the  sufferings  of  the  Son  of  God,  by 
which  he  purchased  his  church,  and  his 
triumph  over  the  powers  of  death,  occupy 
our  attention  ?  Do  we  wish  to  make  these 
the  subject  of  our  praise  ?  Where  are  they 
sung  in  strains  so  melting,  or  in  notes  of  such 
elevated  sentiment,  and  expressive  diction,  as 
in  the  Book  of  Psalms  ?  There  we  find  the 
language  he  selected,  when,  suspended  upon 
the  cross,  he  suffered  for  us  the  Father's 
wrath:  '  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou 
forsaken  me  ? — Into  thine  hand  I  commit  my 
spirit.'^  There,  too,  we  have  his  triumphal 
song :  '  God  is  gone  up  with  a  shout — Thou 
hast  ascended  on  high,  thou  hast  led  captivity 
captive:  thou  hast  received  gifts  for  men; 
yea,  for  the  rebellious  also,  that  the  Lord 
God  might  dwell  among  them.'**   Would  we 

*  Ps.  lxv.  4.  §  Ps.  xxvii.  4. 

I  Ps.  xxxix.  22.  &  cxxx.  7, 8.    ||  Ps.  xxiii.  &,  xvi. 
:  Ps.  xxxii.  1,  2.  &  ciii.  3.        U  Ps.  xxiL  1.  &  rati   r 
■  Ps.  Uviii.  18. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  87 

sing  his  victorious  march,  in  the  spread  of  his 
gospel  ?  All  the  language,  in  which  it  is  de- 
scribed, is  flat,  compared  with  that  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  employs  :  '  Gird  thy  sword  upon 
thy  thigh,  O  most  Mighty,  with  thy  glory  and 
thy  majesty.  And  in  thy  majesty  ride  pros- 
perously, because  of  truth,  and  meekness,  and 
righteousness — Say  among  the  heathen,  that 
the  Lord  reigneth — The  Lord  hath  made 
known  his  salvation  :  his  righteousness  hath 
he  openly  shewed — All  the  ends  of  the  earth 
have  seen  the  salvation  of  our  God.'" — 
Would  we  sing  the  awful  scenes  at  the  close 
of  time  ?  '  Our  God  shall  come,  and  shall 
not  keep  silence;  a  fire  shall  devour  before 
him,  and  it  shall  be  very  tempestuous  round 
about  him.  He  shall  call  to  the  heavens  from 
above,  and  to  the  earth,  that  he  may  judge  his 
people. — God  is  judge  himself.5  Then  to  his 
saints  will  he  i  shew  the  path  of  life ;  in  his 
presence  is  fulness  of  joy;  at  his  right  hand 
are  pleasures  for  evermore.'  Then  too  '  the 
wicked  thall  be  turned  into  hell,  and  all  the 
nations  that  forget  God.'f  Thus,  there  is  no 
attribute  of  Jehovah  which  is  not  celebrated ; 
no  gift  of  grace  which  is  not  confessed,  no 
devout  emotion  of  the  heart  which  is  not  de- 
scribed, nor  achievement  of  the  Saviour  which 
is  not  sung,  in  the  impressive  language  of  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

Pv  xlv.  3?  4.  xcvi.  10.  &  xcviii.  2?  3,  kc. 
t  Ps.  1.  &  xvi    &  ix. 


88  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

I  know,  indeed,  it  has  been  said,  that  the 
preacher  feels  regret,  in  being  confined  to  in- 
spired Psalms;  that,  after  he  had  delivered  a 
gospel  sermon,  he  could  find  no  song  by 
which  he  could,  with  propriety,  close  the  so- 
lemnities of  the  day.  May  we  not  venture  to 
express  our  suspicion  respecting  those  who 
talk  at  this  rate,  that  their  acquaintance  with 
the  scripture  songs  must  be  shamefully  super- 
ficial ;  or,  that  they  preach  another  gospel, 
than  that  of  the  blessed  God.  For  certain  it 
is,  that  thousands,  in  different  ages,  have, 
with  great  faithfulness,  ability,  and  success, 
preached  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  without  feel- 
ing any  difficulty,  in  selecting  a  Scripture 
Psalm  appropriate  to  the  occasion. 

I  am  not  so  fortunate  as  to  remember  any 
specifications  on  this  subject.  The  declara- 
tions, it  is  believed,  are  general;  and  so  calcu- 
lated to  cover  a  defective  information,  or 
something  not  quite  so  excusable.  We  shall 
rest  this  point,  till  gentlemen  of  candour  spe- 
cify the  particulars  in  which  the  Scripture 
Psalms  are  either  defective  in  matter  suitable 
for  Christian  psalmody,  or  contain  matter  un- 
suitable to  the  purpose  of  evangelical  worship. 
Only  let  them  be  careful,  not  to  occupy  a 
ground  that  would  exclude  all  social  praise 
from  the  sanctuary  of  God.  It  is  to  be  sus- 
pected, that  complaints  of  this  stamp,  origi- 
nate not  from  defect,  or  what  is  unfit  in  scrip- 
ture songs,  but  from  a  vitiated  taste  in  spiritual 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  89 

things.  It  requires  more  than  unsupported 
assertion,  or  mere  declamation,  to  satisfy  the 
mind  of  him  who  wishes  to  give  a  reason  of 
his  hope,  that  the  songs  of  inspiration  are  not 
fit,  as  to  matter,  or  not  ample,  as  to  variety, 
for  all  the  purposes  of  evangelical  praise.  It 
is  pity  indeed,  that  any  Christian  should  be 
found,  who  does  not  prefer  the  infallible  dic- 
tates of  the  Spirit  of  grace,  to  the  imperfect, 
however  well  intended,  effusions  of  fallible  men. 

Take,  then,  this  inspired  Book  ;  it  conveys 
the  balm  of  consolation  to  the  afHicted  heart, 
directs  the  emotions  of  the  child  of  grace, 
teaches  a  due  estimate  of  a  world  of  sin  and 
sorrow,  cherishes  a  living  hope  in  a  living 
Redeemer,  and  furnishes  a  guide  and  support 
for  that  faith  by  which  the  Christian  lives. 
Here  you  find  concentrated  the  light  of  in- 
spired truth,  whence  its  beams  ray  out  on  the 
night  of  time — It  pours  a  flood  of  day  on  the 
vale  of  death,  dissipating  its  gloom,  banishing 
its  terrors,  and  giving  a  joyous  prospect  of 
the  happy  regions  that  lie  be}' ond.  Study  the 
other  pages  of  the  Book  of  God.  Let  the 
word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly — a  know- 
ledge of  it  will  enable  you  to  understand  and 
to  apply  this  sacred  manual  of  inspired  song; 
but  exchange  it  not  for  the  shallow  poetry  of 
erring  man.     This  leads  me  to 

My  third  argument :  The  superior  ex- 
cellence   OF    INSPIRED    PSALMS.      It   is    llOt 

my  design  to  derogate  from  the  merit  of  ajiy 

9* 


90  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

man's  productions.  Claim  for  them  all  the 
respect  you  justly  can;  still  they  are  human. 
The  structure  is  the  work  of  man,  and  must 
be  imperfect.  The  sentiment  must  be  com- 
paratively feeble,  the  views  narrow,  and  the 
thought  shallow.  Will  not  the  effect  be  pro- 
portionably  superficial  ?  the  effect  cannot  be 
more  perfect  than  its  cause.  Is  it  not  like- 
wise to  be  expected,  that  man's  moral  im- 
perfections will  tinge  his  fairest  works?  But 
how  highly  elevated,  above  all  this,  is  the 
character  of  the  living  word  of  God,  in 
Zion's  inspired  songs  !  There  we  find  un- 
spotted purity;  the  holiness  of  God  trans- 
cribed. In  those  compositions  is  depth  of 
thought,  fulness  of  meaning,  and  an  energy, 
which  evinces  their  divine  original.  It  is  not 
merely  the  lighter  powers  of  the  mihd  that 
these  address,  nor  the  transient  affections  of 
the  heart  which  they  awaken.  The  harp,  the 
organ,  the  well-modulated  voice,  are  all  ade- 
quate to  the  production  of  such  effects.  The 
language  of  inspiration  does  more.  It  seizes 
the  mind,  arrests  the  understanding,  subju- 
gates the  will,  purifies  the  conscience,  elevates 
and  regulates  the  affections,  and  transforms 
into  its  own  image,  the  whole  man.  Who 
dare  venture  to  assert  these  things  of  the  best 
productions  of  uninspired  men  ? 

The  Christian  will  not  forget,  that  the  Book 
of  Psalms  was  dictated  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
^nd  contains  very  remarkable  exhibitions  of 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  91 

his  diversified  operations  on  the  human  heart, 
in  the  various  circumstances  in  which  he 
places,  or  finds  the  saint.  And,  if  he  say  he 
esteems  more  highly  the  Psalms,  which  are  the 
production  of  the  Spirit  that  sanctifies  him, 
than  he  does  the  imperfect  works  of  feeble 
man, — let  not  his  more  liberal  neighbour,  who 
professes  to  see  no  difference  between  them, 
or,  perhaps,  who  prefers  the  latter,  brand  his 
character  with  the  odious  appellation  of  bigot. 
The  preference  of  the  one,  may  have  more  of 
the  semblance  of  modern  liberality;  that  of 
the  other,  has  not  less  of  the  character  of  an- 
cient piety.  I  hold  myself  justified  in  choos- 
ing the  best  version  of  inspired  compositions, 
rather  than  the  most  perfect  effusions  of  un- 
inspired man.* 

There  is  not  indubitable  evidence  of 
the  propriety  of  using  human  compo- 
sures in  the  psalmody  of  the  church. 
This  is  my  fourth  reason.  And  I  hesitate 
more,  when  I  uniformly  see  the  admission  of 
such,  exclude  those  of  the  Spirit's  inditing. 

We  should  not  venture,  if  a  pure  offering 

*  Milton,  whose  genius,  it  is  somewhere  said,  "  might 
have  harmoniously,  mingled  with  the  angels  that  an- 
nounced the  Messiah  to  be  come,"  makes  one  of  the  de- 
vices of  Satan  against  the  Saviour,  an  attempt  to  turn  his 
attention  to 

"  iEolian  charms  and  Dorian  lyric  ode*," 
rather  than  to  the  hymns,  and  psalms,  and  Hebrew  song1?, 
of  inspiration.     And  the  language  by  which  he  represents 
the  Redeemer  repelling  the  assault,  is  applicable,  not  only 
to  the  productions  of  the  Grecian  muse,  but  to  all  human 


92  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

be  in  our  power,  to  present  to  God  one  of  a 
doubtful  character.  The  denunciations  of 
divine  displeasure  against  those  who  do  so, 
should  not  be  forgotten.*  We  are  sure  the 
language  of  inspiration,  furnished  us  by  God 
himself,  will  not  be  unacceptable  in  our  offer- 
ings to  him.  But  are  we  certain,  after  our 
rejection  of  his,  that  our  own  will  find,  be- 
fore him,  a  gracious  acceptance?  When  God 
furnishes  us  with  words  for  a  special  purpose, 
let  us  prefer  them  to  all  others.  In  so  doing  we 
shall  honour  him.  The  Redeemer  of  souls, 
at  a  most  interesting  crisis  of  his  mediation, 
poured  forth  the  addresses  of  his  heart  in  the 
language  of  the  Book  of  Psalms. 

With  that  which  is  doubtful,  in  the  worship 
of  God,  we  should  not  venture.  He  pro- 
nounces himself  a  jealous  God.  I  know,  in- 
deed, that  the  thoughtless  temerity  of  the 
spirit  of  innovation,  is  not  likely  to  be  de- 
composures,  when  put  in  competition  with  the  word  of 
God : 

Remove  their  swelling  epithets,  thick  laid 
As  varnish  on  a  harlot's  cheek ;  the  rest, 
Thin  sown  with  aught  of  profit  or  delight, 
Will  far  be  found  unworthy  to  compare 
With  S ion's  songs,  to  all  true  tastes  excelling, 

Where  God  is  praised  aright 

Such  are  from  God  inspired." — Par.  Reg.  B.  4. 

He  needs  to  be  but  slightly  acquainted  with  the  hyurn 
books  of  the  day,  to  perceive  an  affected  air  of  familiarity, 
in  addressing,  or  in  speaking  of,  the  Redeemer  of  men; 
which  is  as  inconsistent  with  the  dignity  of  worship,  a* 
with  reverence.  It  is  the  cant  of  enthusiasm,  which  i? 
equally  abhorrent  to  good  sense,  and  devout  feeling. 

*  Mai  i.  14. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  VO 

terred  in  its  progress,  by  fear  of  divine  dis- 
approbation : 

"  For  fools  rush  in  where  angels  fear  to  tread." 

There  is  usually,  in  such  cases,  the  prevalence 
of  some  powerful  passion,  the  boisterousness 
of  whose  rage  drowns,  for  the  time,  the  sug- 
gestions of  caution,  and,  not  unfrequently, 
the  authoritative  voice  of  God  himself.  Until 
the  storm  shall  have  subsided,  and  the  charm 
of  novelty  ceased  to  captivate,  it  is  vain  to 
hope,  that  attention  will  be  seriously  turned 
to  a  diligent  comparison  of  such  courses  with 
the  word  of  God.  There  is,  notwithstanding, 
entertained  a  confident  hope,  that  the  time  in 
which  impious  license  has  been  taken  with  the 
Book  of  Psalms,  has  nearly  expired.  Whether 
there  be  danger  of  a  corruption  of  worship, 
in  the  instance  before  us,  or  a  ground  of 
charge  for  taking  away  any  portion  of  the 
word  of  God  from  its  appointed  use,  deserves 
the  careful  inquiry  of  all  concerned. 

The  Holy  One  of  Israel  has  encircled  his 
institutions  with  a  solemnity,  which  prohibits 
profane  intrusion.  The  whole  limit  of  his 
mountain  is  most  holy.  Hear  what  he  says, 
and  lay  it  to  heart:  '  What  thing  soever  I 
command  you,  observe  to  do  it :  thou  shalt 
not  add  thereto,  nor  diminish  from  it.*  Add 
thou  not  unto  his  words,  lest  he  reprove  thee, 
and  thou  be  found  a  liar.f     This  people  draw 

*  Deut.  xii.  32.  t  Prov.  xxx.  (>. 


94  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

near  me  with  their  mouth,  and  with  their  lips 
do  honour  me,  but  have  removed  their  heart 
far  from  me,  and  their  fear  toward  me  is 
taught  by  the  precept  of  men*  But  in  vain 
do  they  worship  me,  teaching  for  doctrines  the 
commandments  of  men.j*  Why  are  ye  sub- 
ject to  ordinances,  after  the  commandments 
and  doctrines  of  men?' J  Whatever  show  of 
wisdom  there  may  be  in  such,  the  church's 
Head  pronounces  it  will-worship,  and  disho- 
nourable to  God,  as  well  as  dangerous  to  us  : 
for,  saith  '  the  Root  and  Offspring  of  David, 
the  bright  and  morning  Star — I  testify  unto 
every  man  that  heareth  the  words  of  the  pro- 
phecy of  this  book,  If  any  man  shall  add 
unto  these  things,  God  shall  add  unto  him  the 
plagues  that  are  written  in  this  book:  And  if 
any  man  shall  take  away  from  the  words  of 
the  book  of  this  prophecy,  God  shall  take 
away  his  part  out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  out 
of  the  holy  city,  and  from  the  things  that  are 
written  in  this  book.5^ 

These  scriptures,  impressively,  teach  the 
danger  of  encroachment  on  the  instituted  or- 
dinances of  God.  From  them,  and  other 
portions  which  speak  a  similar  language,  we 
learn,  that  in  matters  of  religious  worship,  it 
is  not  sufficient  authority  for  a  practice,  that 
it  is  not  expressly  forbidden.     The  worship- 

*  Isa.  xxix.  13.  X  Col.  ii.  20—22. 

i  Mat.  xv.  9.  §  Rev.  xxii.  16.  18,  19 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  95 

per  should  be  prepared  to  answer,  in  a  satis- 
factory manner,  should  God  propose  to  him 
the  question,  Who  hath  required  this  at  your 
hand  ?  It  will  not  be  satisfactory  to  say, 
"  The  Lord  has  not  explicitly  prohibited  such 
observances." — Were  this  plea  of  justification 
admissible,  Rome  might  add  rites  innumer- 
able to  her  already  cumbrous  load,  and,  at 
the  bar  of  God,  stand  acquitted  in  her  im- 
pious impositions.  Jehovah's  prohibitory  law 
is  express;  Thou  shalt  not  add  thereto,  nor 
diminish  from  it.* 

On  this  subject  we  have  more  than  mere 
verbal  prohibitions.  To  succeeding  ages,  God 
has  set  up  actual  monuments  of  instruction, 
and  of  warning.  The  fact  of  Nadab  and 
Abihu  is  full  in  point.  In  their  character, 
there  does  not  appear  to  have  been  any  inten- 
tional opposition  to  the  institutions  of  God. 
Thoughtlessly,  perhaps,  they  brought,  instead 
of  the  sacred  lire  from  the  altar,  common  fire 
from  the  hearth.  This  appears  to  have  been 
a  very  trivial  deviation  from  the  appointed 
order;  but  it  was  a  deviation;  and  God,  by 
an  alarming  stroke,  taught  Israel  that  he  would 
be  sanctified  in  them  that  approached  to  wor- 
ship him,  by  a  punctilious  regard  to  every 
part  of  his  institutions.!  The  death  of  UzzaJ 
impresses  on  the  mind  a  similar  lesson.  The 
apparent  smallness  of  the  deviation,  and  purity 

*  fteut.  xii.  32*.         f  Lev.  x.  1—3.     t  2  Sam.  vi.  6,  7' 


96  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

of  intention,  never,  in  the  sight  of  God,  con- 
secrated an  invasion  of  his  prerogative,  the 
exclusive  right  of  settling  the  matter  and  the 
forms  of  his  own  worship.  Uzza  was  pious, 
and  being  actuated  by  a  very  laudable  mo- 
tive, the  safety  of  the  ark  of  God,  he  took 
hold  of  it.  But  this  was  not  required  of  him, 
and  his  life  was  forfeited  by  his  devout  teme- 
rity. God  is  still  the  same;  strange  fire,  and 
the  intrusion  of  an  unhallowed  hand  upon  his 
ark,  are  as  offensive  now,  as  formerly  they 
were.  His  glory  he  will  not  give  to  another.* 
Whether  are  those  who  use  the  Scripture 
Psalms,  or  those  who  employ  our  multiplied 
hymn  books,  in  the  worship  of  God,  most  in 
danger,  in  the  case  of  psalmody,  of  unwarrant- 
able innovation  ?  Let  this  be  a  question,  not 
of  disputation,  but  of  conscientious  inquiry. 
Upon  no  rite,  institution,  or  truth,  will  the 
enlightened  Christian  lay  an  undue  weight ; 
but  he  will  try  to  give  each  that  importance 
which  it  deserves.  In  the  present  state  of 
man,  forms  are  as  necessary  to  the  public  ex- 
pression of  the  devotions  of  the  heart,  as  are 
the  body  and  its  members  to  the  soul,  in  the 
actions  of  life.  The  question  then  is,  shall 
we  take  forms  of  our  own  device,  or,  shall 
we  be  contented  with  w7hat  God  has  given  ? 
JMoses  was  faithful  in  all  his  house.  He  acted 
according  to  prescription,  and  ventured  not 

*  Isa.  xlii.  8. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  97 

to  add,  or  to  diminish.  The  singing  of  the 
Almighty's  praise,  in  compositions  of  inspira- 
tion, is  an  appointment  of  God;  the  doing  so, 
in  human  composures,  is  not  a  divine  ordi- 
nance. It  has  not  been,  it  cannot ,  be  proved 
to  be  God's  institution.  Hear,  then,  the  pro- 
hibition, and  apply  it,  Touch  not  the  unclean 
thing. 

The  arguments  employed  to  set  aside 
the  Book  of  Psalms,  from  its  place  in 
the  psalmody  of  the  church,  are  not 
only  unsatisfactory,  but  frequently 
impious.  This  is  my  fifth  reason  for  the  con- 
tinued use  of  scripture  songs.  Bad  argu- 
ments are  presumptive  proof,  that  the  cause 
they  subserve  is  not  good.  When  a  style  of 
reasoning,  inconsistent  with  due  reverence  for 
the  sacred  writings,  is  uniformly  adopted  to 
recommend  a  measure,  we  ought  to  doubt  the 
propriety  of  that  measure.  For  a  hundred 
years  past,  have  the  advocates  of  a  new  psal- 
mody spoken  a  language,  in  vindicating  it, 
which  is  afflictive  to  hear.  What  say  you, 
brethren,  of  the  cause,  intellect,  and  moral 
feeling,  of  those  who  could  speak,  and  write, 
in  the  manner  stated  below  ?*     It  will  be  re- 

*  "  Our  psalmody — doth  not  only  flat  our  devotion,  but 
too  often  awakens  our  regret,  and  touches  all  the  springs 
of  uneasiness  within  us.  I  have  been  long  convinced,  that 
one  great  occasion  of  this  evil  arises  from  the  matter  and 
words  to  which  we  confine  all  our  songs.  Some  of  them 
are  almost  opposite  to  the  spirit  of  the  gospel : — Hence  it 
comes  to  pass,  that  when  spiritual  affections  are  excited 

9 


98  REASONS  FOR  RETAILING 

collected,  that  when  Dr.  Watts  wrote  the  pre- 
face to  his  hymns,  the  Book  of  Psalms  was 
used  in  the  churches. 


within  us,  and  our  souls  are  raised  a  little  above  this  earth 
— we  are  checked  on  a  sudden  in  our  ascent  toicards  heaven, 
by  some  expressions  that  are — fit  only  to  be  sung  in  the 
worldly  sanctuary.  When  we  are  just  entering  into  an 
evangelic  frame — the — line — which  the  clerk  parcels  out 
unto  us,  hath  something  in  it  so  extremely  Jewish  and 
cloudy ,  that  it  darkens  our  sight  of  God  the  Saviour.  Thus 
by  keeping  too  close  to  David  in  the  house  of  God,  the 
vail  of  Moses  is  throivn  over  our  hearts.  While  we  are 
kindling  into  divine  love — some  dreadful  curse  against  men 
is  proposed  to  our  lips;  as,  Ps.  lxix.  26 — 28.;  which  is 
so  contrary  to  the  new  commandment  of  loving  our  ene- 
mies.— Some  sentences  of  the  Psalmist — may  compose  our 
spirits  to  seriousness, — but  we  meet  with  a  following  line — 
that  breaks  off  our  song  in  the  midst;  our  consciences  are 
affrighted,  lest  we  should  speak  a  falsehood  unto  God:  thus 
the  powers  of  our  souls  are  shocked  on  a  sudden,  and  our 
spirits  ruffled — it  almost  always  spoils  the  devotion — Our 
lips  speak  nothing  but  the  heart  of  David.  Thus  our  hearts 
are,  as  it  were,  forbid  the  pursuit  of  the  song,  and  then 
the  harmony  and  the  ivorship  grow  dull  of  necessity.  Many 
ministers,  and  many  private  Christians,  have  long  groaned 
under  this  inconvenience — there  are  a  thousand  lines  in  it 
— the  Book  of  Psalms — which  were  not  made  for  a  church 
in  our  days  to  assume  as  its  own — I  should  rejoice  to  see — 
David  converted  into  a  Christian  :  but  because  I  cannot  per- 
suade others  to  attempt  this  glorious  work,  I  have  suffered 
myself  to  be  persuaded  to  begin  it."*  Having  finished  the 
Imitation  of  the  Psalms,  by  which  he  proposed  to  convert 
David  into  a  Christian,  the  Doctor  says,  "  If  an  author's 
opinion  may  be  taken,  he  esteems  it  the  greatest  work  that 
^ver  he  has  published,  or  ever  hopes  to  do,  for  the  use  of 
the  churches."*  t 

"  There  are  many  hundred  verses  in  that  book?  (of  Psalms) 
which  a  Christian  cannot  properly  assume  in  singing — as 
Ps.  \xv\W.  13.  16.  and  lxxxiv.  3.  6."-— "  Ps.  lxix.  28.  and 

*  Watts'  I'ref.  Glasgow  Ed.  1786 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  99 

Upon  the  sentiments  quoted  in  the  margin, 
I  shall  make  but  little  comment.  Did  they 
not  live  in  the  writings  of  the  authors,  and, 


Ps.  cix.  are  so  full  of  cursings,  that  they  hardly  become 
the  tongue  of  a  follower  of  the  blessed  Jesus."* 

"  By  that  time  they  are  Jilted  for  Christian  psalmody — 
the  composure  can  hardly  be  called  inspired  or  divine] — I 
could  never  persuade  myself  that  the  best  way  to  raise  a  , 
devout  frame  in  plain  Christians,  was  to  bring  a  king  or 
captain,  into  our  churches,  and  let.  him  lead,  and  dictate 
the  worship  in  his  own  style  o{  royalty,  or  in  the  language 
of  afield  of  battle  "t  "  I  have  collected  and  disposed  the 
most  useful  verses  of  this  Psalm,  (119th.  Seethe  note  be- 
fore it  in  the  Imitation) — But  the  verses  are  much  trans- 
posed, to  attain  some  degree  of  connexion." — Such  were 
the  sentiments,  and  such  is  the  language  of  Dr.  Watts, 
concerning  the  Book  of  Psalms. Hear  another  advo- 
cate of  human  inventions : 

"  If  we  were  to  adhere  strictly  to  the  Old  Testament 
psalmody,  we  cannot  be  said  to  do  any  tiling  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  much  less  to  give  thanks  unto  God  and 
the  Father,  by  him.  No  mention  is  therein  made  of  the 
Father  as  a  distinct  and  special  object  of  our  devotion,  nor 
of  the  Son,  as  being  the  appointed  way  of  our  access 
to  him.§ — Whether  these  Psalms  {mentioned,  1  Cor.  xiv. 
26.)  were  the  effect  of  previous  study  and  inspiration  uni- 
ted, or  of  immediate  suggestion,  they  were  certainly  not 
designed  to  inspire  them  (the  converts  to  the  gospel)  with 
veneration\\  and  respect  for  the  Psalms  of  David. "TI  "  Any 
person — will  quickly  perceive  how  remote  psalms  and 
hymns,  formed  upon  it  (the  orthodox  Nicene  creed)  would 
be  from  the — doctrine  of  the  Old  Testament."**  "  Nor  do 
I  think  it  (the  introduction  of  the  Psalms  of  David  into  the 

*  Essay  on  Psalmody,  Works,  Vol.  7.  pp.7,  8. 

t  Ibid.  p.  10. 

|  Preface  to  the  Imitation,  Works,  Vol.  7.  p.  24. 

§  Latta,  p.  29. 

|l  "  What  books  are  those,"  said  the  persecutor  Saterninus,  <c  which 
you  read  and  revert  ?  Speratus  replied — All  the  scripture  that  is  in- 
spired of  God." — Milner.  The  martvrs  then  revered  the  Psalms  of 
David. 

ff  Latta,  p,  42.  **  Ibid.  p.  51. 


100     REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

alas !  constitute  the  animating  principle  of 
that  rage,  for  "  the  meretricious  ornaments" 
of  a  shallow  poetry,  which  has  nearly  ba- 
nished an  Inspired  Psalm  Book  from  the 
church  of  God,  I  would  not  have  permitted 
them  a  place  in  my  pages.  You,  brethren, 
friends  of  the  Bible,  and  advocates  of  its  re- 
putation, would  not  patiently  listen  to  those 
slanders,  by  which  it  is  misrepresented.  Yet, 
indelicate,  and — can  you  find  a  softer  epithet 


Christian  church)  was  very  honourable  to  the  cause  of 
Christ. — It  deprived  him  of — divine  honour — It  deprived 
the  asserters  of  his  deity  of  all  opportunity  of  bearing  tes- 
timony to  it  in  that  part  of  their  worship — It  decided 
clearly  in  favour  of  that  tenet  of  Arianism,  that  divine 
worship  was  to  be  paid  only  to  the  Father,  and  so  had  a 
direct  tendency — to  make  heresy  triumphant ! ! /"  "  This 
usage  spread — and  it  is  no  wonder  that  it  spread  speedily 
and  extensively  in  the  fourth  century,  an  age  devoted  to 
Arianism."*  The  pages  of  this  writer  are  crowded  with 
much  more  to  the  same  purpose.     Listen  to  another — 

"  About  this  time  (fourth  century)  the  Psalms  of  David 
were  first  introduced. — They  were  brought  in  by  Arians, 
and  not  by  orthodox  Christians — spread  extensively — The 
principal  reason  was,  because  this  century  became  devoted 
to  Arianism. "f  And,  repeats  another,  whose  pages  are  far 
below  criticism,  and  who  would  not  have  been  noticed 
here,  were  it  not  for  the  company  in  which  he  is  found — 
"  By  recommending  the  Psalms  of  David — their  minds 
might  be  gradually  led  from  the  doctrine  of  a  divine  Sa- 
viour— The  Psalms  of  David  were  properly  suited  to  such 
a  perversion  of  truth. "£ — Such  is  the  style  in  which  all  the 
public  advocates  of  modern  hymns  have  spoken  of  the 
Book  of  inspired  Psalms,  from  Dr.  Watts,  in  the  beginning 
of  the  eighteenth  century,  down  to  the  author  at  Newark, 
Ohio,  in  1816. 

'  L'iUa,  p.  11.  \  Freeman,  p.  l  ■">.  \  Baird,  p.  H- 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  101 

than  impious  ? — if  you  can,  use  it,  and  I  re- 
turn, and  repeat — indelicate  as  are  these  rhap- 
sodies, they  enter  into  the  special  pleadings, 
by  which  Dr.  Watts  introduced  to  notice  his 
productions,  and  by  which  the  friends  of  his 
.scheme  have  supported  it. 

Yes,  Dr.  Watts,  with  all  the  imposing  forms 
of  his  sanctity,  spoke  as  we  have  heard  of  his 
own  and  of  inspired  compositions.  With  his 
piety  I  have  nothing  to  do.  I  hope  it  will  be 
found,  that  he  was  really  devout,  and,  that 
like  others  of  the  redeemed,  he,  through  the 
blood  of  the  cross,  was  pardoned  and  ac- 
cepted, by  that  God,  of  whose  word  he  so 
lightly  spoke.  Most,  willingly  would  I  seek 
an  apology  for  his  modesty,  and  his  reverence 
of  God.  But  where  is  it  to  be  found  ?  Shall 
we  have  recourse  to  bodily  infirmities,  or,  to 
that  mental  imbecility,  from  which  so  few  par- 
takers of  frail  humanity  are  exempt  ?  In  that 
state  of  intellect,  in  which  a  man  can  per- 
suade himself,  that  he  is  metamorphosed  into 
a  tea-pot,  he  may,  perhaps,  innocently  ima- 
gine, that  the  compositions  of  his  pen  are 
more  divinely  excellent  than  those  of  inspired 
prophets.  But  while  this  admission  of  charity 
shields  his  motives,  it  condemns  the  madness 
of  his  project.  I  cannot,  however,  be  per- 
suaded to  extend  the  admission  so  far  as  to 
allow,  that  those  multitudes  who  have  entered 
into  the  views  of  the  good  Doctor,  were 
equallv  under  the  influence  of  hypochondriacal 
9* 


102    REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

a  flections.  And,  if  they  were,  would  it  not 
be  accommodating-  their  caprice  too  far,  to 
indulge  them,  without  animadversion,  to  ba- 
nish from  her  solemn  praise  the  inspired  hymns 
of  Zion  ? 

Are  you  prepared  to  admit,  that,  "  if  we 
adhere  to  the  Book  of  Psalms,  we  cannot  be 
said  to  do  any  thing  in  the  name  of  the  Re- 
deemer?" Did,  then,  a  strict  adherence  to 
the  doctrines  of  this  book,  which  so  abun- 
dantly testifies  of  Christ,  lead  the  worshipper 
to  an  absolute  God — a  consuming  fire  ?  Was 
not  Messiah,  since  the  fall  of  man,  the  only 
way  to  the  Father  ?  '  Call  now,  if  there  be 
any  that  will  answer  thee;  and  to  which  of  the 
saints  wilt  thou  turn?'*  Who  of  them  was 
ever,  in  person,  or  in  worship,  accepted  through 
any  name,  but  that  of  Christ  ?f  Did  they  not, 
under  every  economy,  contemplate  him  as 
ivounded  for  their  transgressions  ?  In  their 
sacrificed  victims,  devout  worshippers,  by 
faith,  beheld  Messiah,  the  Christ,  cut  off,  hut 
not  for  himself  ,J 

It  is  remarkable,  with  what  front  these 
writers  could,  in  various  forms,  repeat,  that 
"  there  is  no  distinct  mention  of  the  Father, 
in  the  Book  of  Psalms,  as  &  distinct  and  spe- 
cial object  of  devotion."  Had  an  aversion 
to  this  Book  prevented  them  from  reading 

*  Job  v.  1.  f  Acts  iv.  12, 

\  l^a  liii.  5.    Dan   ix.  26.    Ps  xl.  6,  7. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  103 

the  second  Psalm  ?  Who  is  it  that  says,  Thou 
art  my  S071?  And  to  whom  is  the  address 
made  ?  Yes,  yes ;  the  doctrine  of  the  Tri- 
nity was  well  known  to  the  approved  wor- 
shippers of  God,  from  the  first,  and  is  very 
distinctly  exhibited  in  many  a  Psalm."  And 
was,  as  these  advocates  say,  "  the  Son,  as  the 
way  to  the  Father,  unknown  to  the  ancient 
saints  ?"  We  hope  the  time  is  rapidly  passing 
away  when  such  things  shall  be  believed. 
Enoch,  a  cotemporary  with  Adam,  prophesied 
of  the  Saviourf — Abraham  saw  his  day,  and 
was  glad  J — Job  spoke  of  his  Redeemer,  whom 
he  knew,  with  the  precision  of  a  New  Testa- 
ment writer^ — Moses  esteemed  the  reproach 
of  Christ  greater  riches  than  the  treasures  of 
Egypt|| — David  describes  him,  in  his  suffer- 
ings, in  his  exaltation,  and  in  his  dispensa- 
tions, in  these  divine  songs,^T  which  I  fear,  an 
unhappy  prejudice  has  prevented  some  mas- 
ters in  our  Israel  from  understanding.  And 
yet,  wonderful  to  tell,  these  saints  knew 
nothing  of  this  personage,  as  the  way  to  the 
Father  !  Did  these  writers  understand  that 
Confession  which  they  subscribed,  and  were 
they  sincere,  when  they  professed  to  believe 
its  articles,  and  vowed  to  teach  its  doctrines  ? 
This  document  teaches,  that  "  The  justifica- 

*  See  Ps.  2d,  8th,  45th,  51st,  110th,  he. 
t  Jude  14.  §  Job  xix.  25—27 

John  viii.  56.  ||  Heb.  xi.  2t>. 

r  Ps.  xxii.  lxviii.  ex.  cxviii.  &c. 


104     REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

tion  of  believers  under  the  Old  Testament  was, 
in  all  respects,  one  and  the  same  with  the  jus- 
tification of  believers  under  the  New  Testa* 
ruent"*  This  symbol,  in  the  same  chapter, 
teaches,  that  "  Faith,  receiving  and  resting 
upon  Christ  and  his  righteousness,  is  the  alone, 
instrument  of  justification."  But,  when  a 
point  is  to  be  gained,  subscriptions,  vows, 
consistency,  and  truth,  all  in  unison,  oppose, 
too  frequently,  but  a  feeble  obstacle  to  the  un- 
hallowed passions  of  imperfect  man. 

How  bitterly  is  it  to  be  lamented,  that  mi- 
nisters of  the  word  of  God  should  vituperate 
a  most  interesting  portion  of  that  word  ! 
Holding  it  forth,  as  depriving  the  Son  of  God 
of  divine  honour — directly  tending  to  make  he- 
resy  triumphant — as  favourable  to  Arianism, 
and  as  properly  suited  to  such  a  perversion  of 
truth  !  By  such  vituperation,  the  Imitation 
and  hymns  of  Dr.  Watts  have  been  forced 
upon  the  unwary;  and,  so  far  as  a  defence  of 
the  usurpation  is  undertaken,  it  is  made  by 
the  same  weapons.  Say,  ye  who  fear  God, 
and  tremble  at  his  word,  is  not  the  cause  a 
desperate  one,  that — I  shall  not  say  requires, 
but,  that  tolerates,  such  support  ?  To  be  told 
all  this,  to  hear  it  repeated,  and  to  see  it  pre- 
sented in  varied  forms,  bj^  men  occupying  the 
place  of  ministers  in  the  church  of  the  Lord, 
and   eulogized   by    others,    and  remain  un- 

*"  Conf  of  fbe  Prrcby.  Church-  chap,  "si 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  103 

moved,  would  argue  a  species  of  apathy,  by 
which  no  virtuous  mind  should  wish  to  be 
characterized.  If  from  another  quarter,  it 
would  call  forth  a  well-tempered  indignation; 
as  it  is,  grief  takes  the  place  of  indignation, 
and  expresses  itself  in  the  tears  of  affliction. 

These  sentiments,  indeed,  appear  to  carry 
us  so  far  beyond  the  regions  where  mistaken 
saints  are  wont  to  stray,  that,  when  I  read 
them,  I  imagine  myself  on  the  confines  of  in- 
fidelity. Has  the  "  Age  of  Reason"  spoken 
more  reproachfully  of  the  Book  of  Psalms, 
than  these  writings  which  I  now  review^  The 
opinions  are  so  often  repeated,  turned  up  in 
so  many  forms,  and  appear  in  so  many  con- 
nexions, that  we  are  forbidden  to  ascribe  them 
to  a  lapsus  calami,  an  oversight  in  composi- 
tion. Is  it  not  their  direct  tendency  to  cor- 
rupt the  mind,  and  shake  the  public  faith,  in 
the  inspired  page  ?  If,  indeed,  any  portion  of 
the  Book  of  Psalms  have  such  tendencies  as 
have  been  ascribed  to  it,  ought  it  not  to  be 
torn  from  our  Bibles,  and  excluded  from  our 
churches?  Tell  me,  is  it  not  dangerous  to 
read,  as  well  as  to  sing,  those  portions  of  Scrip- 
ture, that  "  darken  our  sight  of  God  the  Sa- 
viour ? — that  tend  to  give  heresy  a  triumph, 
and  that  were  properly  suited  to  a  perversion 
of  truth?"  Was  it  well  done  to  imitate  such 
a  book  ?  If  the  original  be  so  dangerous, 
can  the  imitation  be  safe?  By  what  rule 
shall  we  know  those  portions  of  the  word  of 


106    REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

God,  that  have  such  evil  tendency,  from  those 
parts  that  are  still  profitable  ?  And  how  ac- 
count for  the  fatal  omission  of  the  great  Pro- 
phet of  the  church,  and  of  his  inspired  mes- 
sengers, in  never  hinting  to  us  these  dangers 
from  the  use  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  ?  These 
perplexing  questions  crowd  upon  us — They 
should  have  been  obviated  by  those  Evangeli- 
cal Illuminaii,  who  have  cast  such  a  shade  of 
doubt  on  this  venerable  Book,  which  prophets 
composed,  which  apostles  admired,  and  which 
saints  in  every  age  have  most  devoutly  sung. 
That  such  sentiments  were  indulged,  among 
any  of  the  professed  disciples  of  Christianity, 
even  in  the  heat  of  angry  controversy,  can  be 
accounted  for  only  by  the  fact  already  men- 
tioned,— the  progress  of  infidelity.  The  pe- 
riod when  the  opinions  of  Watts  were  broach- 
ed, was  the  age  in  which  the  publications  of 
Herbert,  Shaftsbury,  and  Bolingbroke,  came 
abroad,  recommended  by  the  fascinations  of 
wit,  of  eloquence,  and  a  pretension  to  lofty 
thought.  From  causes  already  mentioned,  it 
was  the  age,  too,  of  extinguished  zeal,  and  lit- 
tle scriptural  religion.  The  flood-gates  of  in- 
fidelity were  raised,  the  torrent  increased,  and, 
in  its  impetuous  course,  carried  public  opinion 
along.  Its  deadly  waters  washed  our  shores. 
Untaught  to  confide  in  ourselves,  and  to  draw 
upon  our  own  resources,  we  depended  as  much 
on  Europe  for  the  opinions  we  should  enter- 
tain, as  for  the  robes  we  should  wear.     Poli- 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  107 

tical  revolutions  unsettle  the  public  mind,  lead 
to  connexions  unknown  before,  and  afford  fa- 
cilities for  the  active  apostles  of  error  to  ac- 
complish their  designs.  The  history  of  our 
times,  and  of  our  country,  amply  verifies  this 
remark. 

When  the  controversy  of  which  we  now 
treat,  was  first  agitated  in  this  country,  the 
imposing  port  assumed  by  infidelity  may  be 
well  remembered,  while  as  a  monster  it  stalked 
our  streets.  That  was  the  "  Age  of  Reason." 
The  public  ear  was  familiarized  to  the  sup- 
posed contradictions  of  the  word  of  God. 
But  now  that  these  tumultuous  waters  are  as- 
suaged, that  the  reign  of  infidelity  has  ended, 
and  that  we  live  in  the  age  of  Bibles,  when 
every  one  seems  ready  to  atone  for  the  wan- 
derings of  other  years,  I  cannot  persuade 
myself  that,  upon  serious  reflection,  the  real 
friend  of  the  word  of  God,  will'  suffer  any 
portion  of  it  to  remain  under  the  unblessed 
charge  of  "  checking  us  in  our  ascent  to  hea- 
ven — darkening  our  views  of  God  the  Sa- 
viour, or  of  directly  tending  to  make  heresy 
triumphant !"  Let  them,  then — it  is  devoutly 
hoped  they  will — restore  the  Book  of  Psalms 
to  its  legitimate  place  in  the  solemnities  of  the 
sanctuary.  While  such  declarations,  as  those 
we  have  noticed,  stand  prominently  on  record 
against  this  sacred  Book,  let  us  not  give  it 
up,  lest  we  be  understood  to  give  them  the  sane- 
of  our  approbation.     Let  it  be  retained 


108     REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

where  it  is,  and  be  brought  back  where  it  is 
not,  till  something  more  satisfactory  than  ani- 
mated declamation,  shall  be  adduced  against 
it ;  and  till  the  Spirit  of  inspiration,  in  his 
future  efforts,  shall  have  surpassed  in  excel- 
lence what  he  has  already  done. 

To  induce  to  this,  at  the  present  day,  it  is 
not  necessary  to  dilate  on  the  testimony  of 
New7  Testament  writers,  in  favour  of  the  evan- 
gelical character  of  the  Book  of  Psalms.  A 
reference  to  what  has  already  been  said,  is 
deemed  sufficient ;  and,  were  human  authority 
deemed  requisite,  we  might  produce  that  of 
the  whole  church  of  God  in  former  times  :  for, 
in  no  age  of  her  existence,  except  that  of 
infidel  reason,  did  any  of  her  sons  venture 
to  speak  in  the  style  on  which  we  have  ani- 
madverted. The  testimony  of  a  few  moderns 
of  reputation,  from  among  many  others  no 
less  respectable,  may  not  be  deemed  imper- 
tinent. 

The  first  I  adduce,  is  that  of  the  late  Dr. 
Home.  "  David's  invaluable  Psalms,"  says 
he,  "  convey  those  comforts  to  others  which 
they  afforded  to  himself. — They  present  reli- 
gion to  us  in  the  most  engaging  dress;  com- 
municating truths  to  us  which  philosophy 
could  never  investigate,  in  a  style  which 
poetry  can  never  equal. — Indited  under  the 
influence  of  Him,  to  whom  all  hearts  are 
known,  and  all  events  foreknown,  they  suit 
mankind  in  all  situations. — He  who  hath  onc£ 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  109 

tasted  their  excellencies  will  desire  to  taste 
them  again,  and  he  who  tastes  them  oftenest 
will  relish  them  best."*  Much  more  hath  the 
Doctor  finely  spoken  to  the  same  purpose. 

My  next  witness  is  Dr.  Scott,  a  man  who 
feels,  as  well  as  writes  of  the  "  Force  of  Truth." 
— "  There  is  nothing,"  says  this  excellent 
man,  "  in  true  religion,  doctrinal,  experi- 
mental and  practical,  but  will  present  itself  to 
our  attention  while  we  meditate  upon  the 
Psalms.  And  hardly  an  occasion  of  praise 
and  thanksgiving  can  be  conceived,  to  which 
some  portion  of  them,  faithfully  rendered  in 
poetical  versions,  may  not  be  applied  with 
peculiar  energy  and  propriety :  and  indeed 
the  Christian's  use  of  them  in  the  closet,  and 
the  minister's  in  the  pulpit,  will  generally  in- 
crease with  the  growing  experience  of  the 
power  of  true  religion  in  their  own  hearts ."f 

I  next  adduce  the  sentiments  of  the  Rev, 
Robert  Davidson,  D.  D.  late  professor  in,  and 
for  a  time  at  the  head  of,  Dickinson  College. 
He  was  a  reputable  minister  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  "  Do  Christians,"  inquires 
the  Doctor,  "  feel  it  their  duty  to  celebrate 
the  attributes  of  the  adorable  Jehovah,  and  to 
praise  him  for  his  wonderful  works  of  crea- 
tion, providence,  and  redemption  ? — Do  they 
delight  to  dwell  on  the  precious  promises  of 
God  to  men,  especially  the  promises  of  life 

*  Pref.  to  his  Comment,      t  Scott's  Pref.  to  the  Psalms 

10 


110    REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

and  salvation  through  a  Redeemer  ? — Do  they 
wish  to  repeat  hymns  that  express  in  a  lively 
manner  all  the  various  affections  of  a  pious 
mind,  in  all  the  different  circumstances  of  life, 
— in  scenes  of  trouble  and  in  scenes  of  joy  ? 
—What  can  be  better  adapted  to  all  these 
purposes  than  the  Book  of  Psalms, — the  pro- 
duction of  the  pens  of  inspired  prophets  of 
ancient  times  ?  Had  the  author  been  dis- 
posed to  omit  any  of  this  most  valuable  col- 
lection, he  would  not  have  known  where  to 
begin."*  But  quotations  of  this  description 
would  be  endless.     I  add  only  another : 

"  Of  all  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament," 
says  Dr.  Horsley,  "  the  Book  of  Psalms  is 
the  most  universally  read;  but,  I  fear,  as  lit- 
tle as  any  understood.  This  cannot  be  ascribed 
to  any  extraordinary  obscurity  of  these  sacred 
songs;  for  of  all  the  prophetic  parts  of  the 
Scriptures  they  are  certainly  the  most  perspi- 
cuous. But  it  is  owing,  partly,  I  fear,  to  some 
dullness  of  the  faculties  of  the  natural  man 
Upon  spiritual  subjects. — There  is  not  a  page 
of  this  Book  of  Psalms  in  which  the  pious 
reader  will  not  find  his  Saviour,  if  he  reads 
with  a  view  of  finding  him;  and  it  was  but  a 
just  encomium  of  it  that  came  from  the  pen 
of  one  of  the  early  Fathers,  that  it  is  a  com- 
plete system  of  divinity  for  the  use  and  edifi- 


Pref,  to  his  version  of  the  Psalms. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS,  111 

ration  of  the  common  people  of  the  Christian 
church."* 

It  is  cheering  to  find  men  of  solid  erudition, 
of  refined  taste,  and  deep-toned  piety,  in  dif- 
ferent countries,  and  of  different  communities, 
unite  in  asserting  the  excellence  of  this  por- 
tion of  the  sacred  volume,  which  novices  in 
literature  and  godly  experience  affect  to  de- 
spise. And  whether  these  sentiments  of  a 
Home,  of  a  Horsley,  of  a  Scott,  of  a  David- 
son, and  others  of  a  similar  cast;  or  those  of 
Watts,  Latta,  and  their  coadjutors,  exhibit 
most  of  the  spirit  of  enlightened  devotion, 
may  be  safely  left  to  the  friends  of  the  Bible 
to  decide. 

But  before  leaving  this  subject,  a  word  of 
apology  may  be  deemed  necessary,  for  drag- 
ging the  foibles  of  eminent  men  to  light,  and 
disturbing  the  ashes  of  the  dead,  by  exposing 
their  mistakes  before  the  world.  I  can  reply 
to  suggestions  of  this  kind,  with  sincerity,  that 
it  is  not  the  pleasure  derived  from  such  expo- 
sure that  induces  to  the  attempt.  When  ac- 
companied with  no  evil  consequence,  I  cheer- 
fully recognize  the  obligation  of  the  adage ; 
De  mortuis  nihil,  nisi  bonum.\  The  obliga- 
tion to  a  similar  delicacy,  toward  the  living, 
is  as  readily  confessed.  But  if  the  dead,  by 
their  works,  continue  to  vitiate  the  purity  of 
divine  worship,  and  to  disturb  the  peace  of 

~"  Bp.  Horslev's  Pref.  t  Speak  no  evil  of  the  dead, 


112    REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

the  church  of  God,  let  them  bear  the  blame. 
And  if,  by  the  ill-advised  kindness  of  sur- 
viving friends,  those  men  and  their  works  be 
dragged  from  their  obscurities,  and  be  ob- 
truded on  public  attention,  let  the  forfeiture 
be  paid  by  those  officious  friends.* 

Those  men,  on  whose  sentiments  I  have 
animadverted,  succeeded  by  their  composi- 
tions, in  excluding  the  songs  of  inspiration 
from  the  psalmody  of  the  church.  It  is  my 
wish  those  songs  should  be  restored.  I  am 
therefore  justifiable  in  calling  public  attention 
to  those  reasons  that  recommended  a  measure 
which  I  believe  to  be  improper;  and  in  ex- 
posing that  impious  banter,  which,  in  an  age 


*  After  reading  Dr.  Latta's  discourse  on  psalmody,  and 
not  a  little  surprised  at  its  sentiments  and  reasoning-,  upon 
turning  to  the  Christian's  Magazine,  my  surprise  was  ac- 
companied by  pain  to  find  that  the  learned  and  orthodox 
editors  of  that  respectable  work,  devoted  their  pages  to 
eulogize  that  gentleman,  not  only  as  a  man,  and  a  scholar, 
but  as  a  divine ;  and,  as  if  to  make  it  more  conspicuous, 
in  a  marginal  note,  to  adduce  his  "  Discourse  on  Psal- 
mody," as  a  specimen  of  his  talent,  in  justification  of 
their  eulogy.  No  less  painful  is  it  to  find  such  a  work  re- 
ceive the  high  commendation  of  such  a  man  as  the  learned 
and  excellent  Professor  at  Princeton,  in  his  life  of  Dr. 
Rodgers.  It  is  hoped  none  of  these  gentlemen  were  really 
acquainted  Svith  the  true  character  of  that  work;  but  rest- 
ing upon  what  they  considered  the  character  of  their 
friend,  unwittingly  transferred  the  reputation  of  the  man 
to  his  book.  Their  testimony  may  be  employed,  in  a  fu- 
ture day,  to  give  currency  to  the  very  exceptionable  pages 
of  that  discourse.  To  correct  the  evil  is  a  duty  they  owe 
to  themselves,  to  the  church  of  God,  and  to  the  cause  of 
truth. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  113 

of  infidelity,  was  too  successful  in  effecting  a 
practical  preference  of  the  word  of  man  to 
that  of  God.  I  trust  my  attempt  shall  not  be 
in  vain.  My  appeal  is  made  to  Christian 
consistency;  and  it  is  made  in  a  day  as  re- 
markable for  liberal  exertions  to  circulate  the 
word  of  God,  as  a  late  period  was  for  undis- 
guised opposition  to  the  authenticity  and  di- 
vine inspiration  of  that  blessed  book. 

Will  not,  then,  the  genuine  friend  of  the 
Bible  arise;  and  in  manly,  in  evangelical, 
consistency,  declare  to  the  world,  and  to  the 
church  of  God,  that  he  does  not  believe  any 
portion  of  the  lively  oracles  of  the  God  of 
truth  "  has  a  tendency  to  make  heresy  tri- 
umphant," or  "  that  it  checks  us  in  our  as- 
cent toward  heaven,  throws  the  vail  of  Moses 
over  our  hearts,  darkens  our  sight  of  God 
the  Saviour,  and  is  opposite  to  the  spirit  of 
the  gospel."  It  is  time  to  awake  from  the 
slumber  of  a  mere  accommodating  policy, 
and  to  tell  the  world,  these  are  opinions  you 
do  not  hold.  Convince  us,  then,  that  you 
are  sincere.  Recall  the  Book  of  Psalms 
from  its  exile,  and  restore  it  to  its  pristine 
honours.  This  will  be  an  act  of  magnani- 
mous policy,  worthy  the  age  of  Bibles  ;  an 
act  which  the  Spirit  of  God  will  approve,  and 
in  which  the  church  on  earth  and  saints  in 
heaven  will  rejoice. 

The  evil  consequences  of  supplying 
the  piwtf:   of    Scripture  Psalms,  with 
?0* 


114     REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

human  compositions,  furnish  a  sixth  reason 
against  it.  I  am  forbidden  by  my  prescribed 
limits,  to  expand  the  subject  much  farther. 
It  requires,  however,  but  little  reflection  to 
perceive  the  danger.  The  consequences  are 
indeed  extensively  felt;  and,  if  the  practice 
be  continued,  they  have  not  yet  reached  their 
bounds. 

The  Book  of  Psalms  has  been  undervalued. 
A  language,  better  fitting  the  lips  of  deists 
than  of  Christians,  has  been  countenanced ; 
and  the  church  of  the  Redeemer,  rent  enough 
before,  has  been  still  more  divided  by  the 
measure  now  opposed.  The  preference  of  a 
human  to  a  divine  Book  of  Psalms,  has  led 
to  the  maintenance  of  opinions  respecting  the 
dispensation  and  exercise  of  grace,  under  the 
Old  Testament,  totally  at  variance  with  truth, 
and  contradictory  to  the  public  standards  of 
the  Reformation  churches.  It  has  forced  the 
advocates  of  that  preference  to  assume  a  po- 
sition, that  deprives  the  church  of  God  at 
large  of  his  word,  as  the  ground  of  faith,  ex- 
cept those  of  her  members  who  may  be 
learned  in  the  original  tongues,  in  which  the 
Scriptures  were  first  written.  For,  if  as  faith- 
ful a  version  of  the  Bible  as  can  be  obtained, 
has  no  claim  to  be  called  the  Word  of  God, 
as  some  suppose,  then  the  faith  of  the  great 
majority  of  saints,  in  every  age,  has  been 
built  on  a  sandy  foundation,  the  word  of  man. 
And,  finally,  the  measure  opens  wide  the  door 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  117 

for  introducing,  and  propagating  every  specier 
of  heresy. 

The  fact,  that  hymns  of  human  composi- 
tion, admitted  into  the  psalmody  of  the  church, 
tend  to  the  corruption  of  religion,  is  scarcely 
deniable.  Admit  them  once,  where  shall  we 
stop  ?  Every  fanciful  scribbler  who  may  be 
permitted  to  ascend  a  pulpit,  and  whose  in- 
flated vanity  induces  the  belief  that  he  is  a 
poet,  will  urge  the  use  of  his  hymns,  "  the 
spontaneous  effusions  of  his  affections,"  com- 
posed, as  he  may  imagine,  in  adaptation  to 
his  discourse.  Then,  instead  of  a  few  fe- 
males, on  a  particular  day,  like  Paulus  of 
Samosata,  he  may  hear  the  whole  choir,  from 
day  to  day,  sing  his,  in  place  of  the  praises 
of  God. 

Examine  the  hymn  books  of  the  respective 
communities,  which  have  laid  aside  the  Bible 
Psalms,  and  you  will  find  their  peculiar  tenets 
interwoven  with  their  song.  According  to 
present  sentiments  and  practice,  it  is  generally 
in  the  power  of  every  minister,  to  adopt  into 
his  congregation  what  hymn  books  he  may 
deem  meet ;  and  thus  employ,  if  unsound  in 
principle,  a  powerful  mean  of  seduction  from 
the  path  of  truth.  With  what  heart,  with 
what  kind  of  faith,  can  the  worshipper,  in 
such  a  state  of  things,  enter  the  house  of  God  ? 
At  this  day,  in  many  churches,  there  is  no 
certainty  in  what  collection  your  song  of 
praise  shall  be  found :  whether  it  shall  be 


114—^  pONS  FOR  RETAINING 

&     ^  vinistic  in  sentiment,   or  replete 

horrors,  and  all  the  nonsense,  of 
pd  Hopkinsian  school ;  whether, 
n  ..vot  »iiall  be  qualified  by  an  admixture 
of  more  truth,  or  whether  it  shall  be  a  mere 
evanescent  effusion,  depends  on  circumstances 
the  most  uncertain,  to  the  majority  of  wor- 
shippers. This  is  an  unhappy  state  of  things : 
for  it  a  remedy  should  be  speedily  sought. 

It  would  be  worth  while  to  spend  some  la- 
bour to  ascertain  what  has  been  actually  done 
in  this  way  to  corrupt  religious  opinion.  The 
inquirer  should  go  back  to  a  date  more  an- 
cient than  the  present  age.  As  respects  our 
own  country,  it  is  peculiarly  interesting.  It 
lias  been  said,  that  "  the  city  of  God  pre- 
sented no  street  of  purer  gold  than  the  New 
England  church."  It  is  now  a  desolation. 
The  rude  howlings  of  the  worst  of  heresy,  is 
the  music  at  its  head.  Hoiv  is  the  gold  be- 
come dim!  Had  the  sentiments  of  Dr.  Watts, 
on  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  and  his  un- 
hallowed language  respecting  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  any  influence  in  opening  the  door  for 
Socinianism  ?  The  Doctor's  system  was  a 
compound  of  Sabellianism,  Arianism,  and 
Socinianism.  His  system  not  only  denies  the 
eternal  Sonship  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  also  his 
deity,  as  he  is  a  person  distinct  from  the  Fa- 
ther. The  acute  and  profound  President  Ed- 
wards has,  in  a  number  of  arguments,  refuted 
this  heresy  of  Dr.  Watts,  and  at  the  same  time 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  117 

shown,  that  it  destroys  a  belief  in  the  scrip- 
tural doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  According  to 
Watts'  hypothesis,  it  is  a  trinity  of  names 
united  in  one  individual  person,  and  not  of 
persons  in  one  essence.* 

Did  Dr.  Watts  attempt,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, to  transfuse  his  peculiar  views  on  this 
subject  into  his  religious  poetry  ?  Some  think 
he  introduced  it,  not  very  indirectly,  into  his 
Imitation  of  the  Psalms.  Considering  the 
strong  propensity  of  man  to  propagate  his 
sentiments,  it  would  indeed  be  strange,  if  he 
did  not  attempt  it.  It  is  a  fact,  not  admitting 
of  doubt,  that  where  his  compositions  were 
first,  and  have  been  longest  used,  in  the  psal- 
mody of  the  church,  Socinianism  has  made 
the  most  extensive  progress.  Error  has  its 
power  as  well  as  truth,  and  like  it,  presses  to 
consistency.  Dr.  Watts  rejected  the  Bible 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity ;  he  cannot  be  sup- 
posed, intentionally,  to  contradict  his  settled 
principles,  in  any  of  his  poetic  compositions. 
His  Imitation  and  hymns,  with  all  their  per- 
fections and  imperfections,  were  adopted  in 
the  psalmody  of  many  churches,  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  scripture  songs :  among  those 
churches  the  Socinian  heresies  have  exten- 
sively spread. — What  is  the  connexion  in 
New  England,  between  these  composures  of 
Dr.  Watts,  and  the  existing  opposition  to  or- 
thodox doctrine?     I  leave  this  question  to  be 

*  See  Appendixj  No.  2. 


118  REASONS  FOR  RETAINING 

answered  by  them,  whom  it  more  immediately 
concerns.  Whatever  others  may  imagine,  to 
me  it  seems  deserving  of  attention.*  God 
once  said  of  Ephraim,  He  is  joined  to  his  idols, 
let  him  alone.  In  avenging  sin,  he  frequently 
punishes  spiritual  crime  with  spiritual  plagues. 
'  My  people  would  not  hearken  to  my  voice; 
and  Israel  would  none  of  me.  So  I  gave  them 
up  to  their  own  hearts'  lusts ;  and  they  walked 
in  their  own  counsels. 'f 


•  The  progress  of  error  is  gradual,  and  often  the 
avowed  friends  of  truth  prepare  the  way  for  heresy.  The 
present  extensive  denial  of  the  eternal  Sonship  of  Jesus 
Christ,  is  to  be  viewed  in  this  light.  Destroy  the  faith  of 
the  church  in  the  eternity  of  his  filiation,  and  she  will 
soon  deny  the  eternity  of  his  person.  The  metaphysical 
acumen  of  most  professors,  will  not  enable  them  to  dis- 
tinguish between  sonship  and  personality.  The  standards 
of  the  Presbyterian  churches  teach,  that.  "  the  Son  is  eter- 
nally begotten  of  the  Father,"  ahd  that  the  personal 'pro- 
perty of  the  Son  is,  to  be  begotten  of  the  Father.  De- 
stroy the  personal  property  and  you  destroy  the  person.  If 
the  personal  property  be  not  eternal,  the  person  is  not 
eternal.  Establish  the  former,  and  the  latter  will  follow 
of  course.  To  bear  down  the  doctrine  of  the  Saviour's 
eternal  filiation,  the  weight  of  the  influence  at  Andover  is 
directed.  The  names  of  Drs.  Morse,  Emmons,  and  Grif- 
fin, stand  conspicuously  recorded,  as  avowed  enemies  of 
the  truth,  on  this  point.  They  mean  not  to  deny  the  di- 
vinity of  their  Redeemer:  yet  their  principle  leads  that 
way,  and,  we  have  reason  to  fear,  their  disciples  will  be 
more  consistently  wrong  than  themselves.  The  door  for 
the  admission  and  spread  of  Socinianism,  among  the 
churches,  is  rapidly  and  widely  opening.  Of  this  many 
good  men  are  not  aware.  See  recommendations  of  a  work 
of  the  Rev.  Ethan  Smith,  of  Hopkinton,  N.  H.  on  the  C/tcr- 
racter  of  Jesus  Christ  and  the  Trinity. 

t  Ps.  Ixxxi.  11,  12. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PSALMS.  119 

These,  brethren,  are  a  summary  of  the  rea- 
sons by  which  I  justify  the  continued  use  of 
inspired  songs,  in  the  psalmody  of  the  church, 
in  preference  to  human  composures,  however 
excellent.  We  have  seen  that  they  were  given 
to  the  church  of  God  by  his  own  authority, 
and  were  used  with  his  approbation.  The 
Redeemer,  and  his  inspired  messengers,  in- 
stead of  abrogating  their  use,  did,  by  nume- 
rous circumstances,  whose  language  is  not 
easily  misunderstood,  recommend  them  to  our 
respect  and  pious  veneration. — The  matter  of 
these  songs  is  divine,  and  admirably  adapted 
to  the  purpose  of  evangelical  praise — They 
are  better  than  the  best  compositions  of  unin- 
spired men;  they  are  the  word  of  God, — and 
have  been  always  dear  to  the  saints. — The 
propriety  of  using  hymns  of  human  compo- 
sure, in  the  sanctuary  of  God,  to  say  the  least, 
is  doubtful.  The  most  prominent  advocates 
of  such  hymns,  in  recommending  them,  and 
in  vindicating  their  claims,  have  spoken  re- 
proachfully of  an  important  portion  of  the 
sacred  Word.  The  tendency  of  their  admis- 
sion, too,  is  most  unpropitious  to  the  purity 
of  religion,  and  the  peace  of  the  house  of 
God. 


120 
LETTER  V. 

OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

Scripture  our  only  rule — Col.  iii.  16.  considered — Demands 
answered  —  New  mercies  require  a  new  song  —  Book 
of  Psalms  abrogated — Cannot  be  sung  in  truth — May 
sing  as  well  as  pray  in  our  own  ivords — Book  of  Psalms 
obscure — Inadequate — Modern  hymns  more  favourable  to 
revivals — More  elegant  in  diction — Watts  had  as  good  a 
right  to  make  Psalms  as  David. 

Dear  Brethren, 

THAT  "  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments  are  the  only  rule  to  direct  us 
how  we  may  glorify  God,  and  enjoy  him  for 
ever,"  is  an  article  of  the  Protestant  creed. — 
In  matters  of  faith  and  religious  worship,  to 
the  law  and  to  the  testimony,  our  appeal  is 
made.  By  the  decision  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
speaking  in  and  by  the  Scriptures,  is  the  claim 
o(  the  Book  of  Psalms  sustained,  to  its  place 
ill  the  psalmody  of  our  Zion.  This  is  enough; 
it  matters  little  what  ingenuity  may  be  dis- 
played in  order  to  set  aside  that  decision; 
upon  it  the  faith  of  the  Christian  should  re- 
pose. Those  who  contend  for  its  banish- 
ment, and  the  adoption  of  its  rivals,  can  be 
justified  only  by  "  passages  of  Scripture  which 
contain  direct  precept,  plain  undoubted  ex- 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED,  121 

ample;  or  at  least  some  established  principle, 
from  which  their  conclusion  necessarily  flows 
— We  cannot  be  contented  with  gratuitous 
assumptions,  or  ingenious  analogies,  which 
have  nothing  to  support  them  but  human  au- 
thority. We  must  have  a  warrant,  decided 
and  clear ;  a  warrant  which  would  be  indubi- 
table and  satisfactory,  if  all  books,  excepting 
the  Bible,  were  banished  from  the  church."* 
Such  is  the  demand ;  such  are  the  sentiments 
of  a  fine  writer,  when  contending  against  the 
claims  of  Episcopacy.  I  adopt  them  as  mine, 
when  contending  against  the  substitution  of  a 
human  for  an  inspired  system  of  religious 
songs.  And  I  shall  be  satisfied  with  an  ex- 
press command  of  God,  with  an  approved 
example,  or  with  a  conclusion  which  necessa- 
rily flows  from  an  established  principle,  au- 
thorizing such  substitution.  But  with  less, 
no  well-directed  conscience  can  rest.  Sophis- 
try however  acute,  and  pretension  however 
arrogant,  will  not  be  satisfactory.f    Whether 

*  Miller's  Letters. 

f  It  is  affirmed,  that  in  Col.  iii.  16.  and  in  the  parallel 
scriptures,  we  have  indubitable  evidence  of  the  divine  right 
of  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  of  human  compo- 
sure. The  word  of  Christ,  that  is,  according  to  a  very 
lame  exposition,  the  gospel,  or  writings  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament, exclusively,  must  dwell  in  us  richly,  and  that  with 
a  reference  to  our  mutual  improvement;  which  is  effected, 
by  teaching  one  another,  in  the  singing  of  psalms,  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs  ;  which  compositions  not  being  found 
in  the  Old,  must  be  drawn  from,  and  formed  according  to 
the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  found  in  the  New  1>sfarr>Pii7 : 
II 


122         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

a  human  system  of  psalms  has  a  higher  claim 
than  these  can  give,  is  now  the  subject  of  in- 
quiry. 

for  there  alone,  i  the  word  of  Christ,'  which  is  to  consti- 
tute the  great  matter  of  these  compositions,  is  to  be  found, 
being  expressly  distinguished  by  the  apostle,  in  writing  to 
the  Hebrews,  from  all  former  revelations  * 

To  these  assertions  I  make  the  following  replies  : — You 
will  justify  me  in  remarking,  in  the  first  place,  that  it  is 
not  true,  that  the  f  word  of  Christ,'  or  the  gospel,  is  con- 
fined, exclusively,  to  the  writings  of  the  New  Testament. 
One  who  well  understood  what  the  gospel  was,  informs  us, 
that  it  was  preached  unto  Abraham  ;f  and  that,  to  the 
Antediluvians  the  righteousness  of  faith,  of  which  Noah 
was  both  an  heir  and  a  preacher,  was  made  known.  To 
them  Christ  by  his  Spirit  preached  in  the  day  of  forbear- 
ance, though  now  they  occupy  the  place  of  imprisoned 
Spirits,!  If  the  Spirit  of  Christ  preached  to  them,  one 
would  reasonably  conclude,  they  enjoyed  the  revelation  of 
the  word  of  Christ.  We  are  also  certified,  that  the  gospel 
was  preached  to  the  Israelites  in  the  wilderness. — Unto  us 
was  the  gospel  preached  as  well  as  unto  lhem.§  How  could 
these  writers  presume  to  assert,  that  "  where  the  apostle 
writes  immediately  to  the  Jews  themselves,  he  expressly 
distinguishes  the  word  of  Christ  from  all  former  revela- 
tions, made  by  Moses  and  the  prophets" — "  distinguishes 
the  gospel  from  all  the  revelations  of  the  divine  will,  in 
the  Old  Testament," — when  that  apostle  informs  those  very 
people,  and  in  that  same  epistle,  that  the  gospel,  in  "  the 
revelation  of  the  divine  will  in  the  Old  Testament,"  was 
preached  to  their  fathers  ?  May  not  a  suspicion,  without 
illiberality,  exist,  that  men  who  write  and  talk  at  this  rate, 
are  novices  in  the  knowledge  of  what  the  gospel  is  ?  But, 
in  every  age  of  the  church,  teachers  have  been  found,  un- 
derstanding neither  what  they  said,  nor  whereof  they  af- 
firmed. 

My  second  remark  is  this : — It  is  gratuitous  to  assert, 
that  in  the  Old  Testament  scriptures,  psalms,  hymns,  and 
*  See  Latta,  pp.  19—23.  ct  alibi.  t  Gal.  iii.  8. 

Ileb.  xi.  7.  and  1  Pet.  fii.  18—20.  2.  Tet.  ii.  5.  §  Heb.  iv.  2. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  12$ 

The  following  very  extraordinary  demands 
are  made  of  the  friends  of  Scripture  Psalms 
in  the  church's  worship ;   and  it  seems  to  be 

spiritual  songs,  are  not  to  be  found.  This  is  a  pitiful  play 
on  words.  A  little  more  sense  on  the  part  of  some,  and 
a  little  more  modesty  on  that  of  others,  teaching  them  not 
to  presume  too  far  on  human  ignorance,  would  induce  them 
to  be  ashamed  of  such  paltry  tricks.  (See  a  following  note 
on  this  subject.) 

My  third  remark  is  on  the  text,  Col.  iii.  16. — It  appears 
to  be  both  misunderstood  and  misapplied.  Duties  highly 
important,  and  the  manner  of  performing  them,  are  en- 
joined. They  are  three :  An  intimate  and  extensive  ac- 
quaintance w  ith  the  doctrine  of  Christ :  Let  the  word  of 
Christ  dwell  in  you  richly — Wisely  promoting  each  other's 
edification  :  In  all  wisdom,  teaching  and  admonishing  one 
another — Praising  God,  with  proper  dispositions  of  heart, 
in  the  use  of  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs :  III 
psalms,  and  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  with  grace 
in  your  heart  to  the  Lord.  The  celebration  of  the  divine 
perfections,  in  suitable  songs,  wisely  teaching  and  admo- 
nishing one  another,  are  duties  demanded  by  God ;  and 
that  to  discharge  these  duties  aright,  requires  an  extensive 
acquaintance  with  the  inspired  page,  our  apostle  teaches, 
and  the  Christian  readily  acknowledges ;  but  the  scripture 
under  consideration,  neither  requires  the  members  of  the 
church  to  commence  hymn  makers,  nor  authorizes  the  use 
of  such,  in  the  church,  when  made.  Psalms,  and  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs,  are,  indeed,  to  be  sung ;  but  whether 
these  must  be  inspired,  or  may  be  uninspired,  whether 
from  the  Old,  or  from  the  New  Testament,  we  must  learn 
from  other  portions  of  fhe  sacred  volume.  On  these  points 
this  text  is  silent.  The  attempt  to  justify  the  expulsion  of 
the  Book  of  Psalms,  and  the  introduction  of  uninspired 
hymns,  from  these  injunctions  of  the  sacred  writer,  argues 
a  remarkable  perversity  of  intellect,  not  excused,  even  by 
the  unhappy  punctuation  of  our  version.  I  have  said,  un- 
happy punctuation  ;  for  "  through  bad  pointing  this  verse 
is  not  very  intelligible ;  the  several  members  of  it  should 
be  distinguished  thus :  Let  the  doctrine  of  Christ  dwell 
richly  among  you;  teaching  and  admonishing  each  other  in 


124  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

admitted,  that  if  these  demands  were  satis- 
fied, the  claims  of  inspired  songs  would  be  at 
least  probable.  We  shall  hear  the  demands, 
examine  them  with  candour,  and  satisfy  them 
if  possible. 

To  maintain,  it  is  said,  the  claim  of  the 
Scripture  Psalms,  it  should  be  shown  that 
the  word  of  Christ,  of  which  the  apostle  speaks, 
Col.  iii.  16.  was  so  peculiarly  restricted  to 
the  Psalms  of  David,  as  to  exclude  from  being 
any  part  of  that  word,  what  was  spoken  by 
himself  and  his  apostles; — that  it  is  usual  for 
the  apostle  Paul  to  call  the  Psalms  of  David, 
psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs; — that  our 
instructions,  in  these  psalms  and  hymns, 
should  be  drawn,  not  from  the  discourses  of 
the  Saviour  and  his  apostles,  but  from  the 
Old  Testament  Psalms; — and  that  the  whole 
worship  of  the  Old  Testament,  songs  of  praise 
included,  was  expressly  offered  up  to  the  Fa- 
ther, through  Christ.  But  these  things  can 
never  be  proved.  The  very  reverse  of  them 
is  the  truth.* 

all  wisdom;  singing,  with  grace  in  your  hearts  unto  the 
Lord,  in  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs. — This  arrange- 
ment the  original  will  not  only  bear,  but  it  absolutely  re- 
quires it,  and  is  not  sense  without  it."f  Still,  it  must  be 
seen,  that  no  pointing,  however  bad,  can  give  any  coun- 
tenance to  a  human,  in  preference  to  an  inspired  system 
of  psalms. — Whether  the  argument  upon  which  I  have 
animadverted,  merits  a  better  character  than  "  gratuitous 
assumption,"  I  leave  to  my  reader  to  decide. 
t  Vide  Dr.  Clarke's  note  on  the  place. 
*  Lattas  Discourse,  Pref.  pp  6,  7. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  125 

Such  are  the  bulwarks  by  which  the  ene- 
mies of  our  sacred  songs  defend  themselves. 
To  the  first  of  the  above  demands,  I  reply, 
that  the  restriction  of  the  word  of  Christ,  ex- 
clusively, to  any  part  of  divine  revelation,  is 
no  article  of  our  creed.  As  the  Redeemer  is 
the  Prophet  and  Teacher  of  his  church,  and 
the  Light  of  the  world,  we  consider  the  whole 
discovery  of  the  divine  will  to  man,  to  be 
made  by  him.*  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  spake 
by  me,f  said  the  inspired  minstrel  of  Israel, 
when  about  to  leave  the  sanctuary  below,  and 
join  in  the  song  of  the  church  of  the  first-born 
above.  The  Holy  Ghost  spake  by  the  month 
of  David,\  says  an  apostle  of  Jesus.  The 
Holy  Ghost,  who  spoke  by  David  and  other 
inspired  messengers  of  old,  was  the  Spirit  of 
Christ — The  Spirit  of  Christ  ivhich  was  in 
them — testified  beforehand  the  sufferings  of 
Christ,  and  the  glory  that  should  follow  ,\  He 
who  dictated  the  whole  canon  of  Scripture,  is 
the  Spirit  of  Christ;  and  the  sacred  volume 
is  the  Saviour's  word.  The  inspiring  Spirit 
dwelt  in  the  church's  Head ;  he  actuated  the 
prophets,  he  inspired  the  apostles ;  in  all  its 
ages,  he  acted  under  the  economy  of  grace : 
at  the  head  of  that  economy,  in  those  ages, 
stood  the  Son  of  God,  as  our  Mediator  ;  his 
is  the  revelation  in  our  Bible.     It  is  the  word 

*  John  i.  18.  %  Acts  i.  16.  v 

i  2  Sam.  xxiii.  2.  $  1  Pet.  i.  11. 

11*    * 


126         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

of  Christ.  Let  all  who  deny  this  take  their 
future  stand,  at  least  with  the  semi-infidels  of 
our  day,  and  on  that  ground  they  shall  be 
met.  The  songs  of  Scripture,  whether  found 
in  the  Old  or  in  the  New  Testament,  are  the 
word  of  Christ.  That  this  should  be  de- 
nied by  any  who  have  subscribed  the  follow- 
ing declaration,  which  every  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  has  done,  is  only  ano- 
ther, yet  lamentable  instance  of  the  incon- 
sistency of  man:  "  Christ  executeth  the  office 
of  a  prophet,  in  his  revealing  to  the  church, 
in  all  ages,  by  his  Spirit  and  word,  in  divers 
ways  of  administration,  the  whole  will  of 
God."* — This  supports  what  I  have  advanced, 
while  it  contradicts  that  on  which  I  animad- 
vert. 

I  reply  to  the  second  demand,  that  it  is  fair 
in  us,  if  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  be 
really  found  in  the  Bible,  to  conclude,  that  the 
apostle  intended  them,  rather  than  the  imper- 
fect effusions  of  well-designing  men.  Now, 
let  the  objectors  tell  us  the  specific  qualities 
by  which  these  compositions  are  distinguished, 
and  we  shall  present  them  with  specimens  of 
each  in  the  Book  of  Psalms.  Or,  if  they 
please,  a  reference  to  the  original  denomina- 
tions of  these  songs,  might  probably  afford 
satisfactory  information.-)-     It  is  not  pleasant 

*  Larger  Cat.  Q.  43. 

f  Psalms,  hymns ,  and  spiritual  songs. — Rarely  has  it 
been  found,  that  writers  have  presumed  more  on  the  igno- 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.         127 

to  call  arguments,  of  the  description  now  un- 
der consideration,  by  an  appropriate  name. 
The  reply  to  the  third  requisition  in  the 

ranee  and  credulity  of  their  readers,  than  in  the  confidence 
m  ith  which  it  is  assumed,  that  when  the  Scripture  makes 
mention  of  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  human  composures, 
and  not  those  of  divine  inspiration,  must  be  intended. 
These  teachers  should  have  shown,  that  among-  the  songs 
of  the  Bible,  none  corresponding  to  the  denomination  of 
hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  could  be  found.  A  more  sum- 
mary mode  has  been  adopted ;  simple  assertion,  which,  if 
not  so  satisfactory,  is  undoubtedly  more  easy. 

Although,  in  the  exposition  of  these  terms,  among-  re- 
putable writers,  there  are  some  faint  shades  of  difference ; 
yet  all  unite  in  opposition  to  the  idea,  that  a  hymn,  and 
spiritual  song,  must  mean  uninspired  compositions.  It 
may  be  gratifying  to  my  reader  to  have  the  sentiments  of 
a  few  characters,  of  literary  reputation,  on  the  subject. 

Hear,  in  the  first  place,  the  sentiments  of  Calvin :  "  A 
psalm,  (says  he)  is  that  species  of  composition,  in  the  sing- 
ing of  which,  a  musical  instrument  besides  the  tongue  was 
employed. — Hymns  are  songs  of  praise,  sung  either  with 
a  voice  elevated  or  low. — Spiritual  songs,  are  such  psalms 
as  contain  not  only  praises,  but  also  exhortations,  and 
other  arguments."* 

Mr.  Brown  of  Haddington,  says,  "When  psalms,  hymns, 
and  spiritual  soiigs,  are  mentioned  together,  psalms  may 
denote  such  as  were  sung  on  instruments ;  hymns  such  as 
contain  only  matter  of  praise ;  and  spiritual  songs,  such 
as  contain  doctrines,  history,  and  prophecy,  for  men's  in- 
struction, "f 

Dr.  Lowth  observes,  that  "  the  Greek  translators  might 
very  properly  have  given  the  title  of  Hymns  to  the  Book 
of  Psalms,  as  that  word  agrees  much  more  exactly  with 
the  Hebrew  title  CT  iT\D^  tehillim,  than  that  which  they 
have  adopted. "t  As  specimens  of  the  idyllium,  or  hymn, 
of  the  Hebrew  poetry,  he  selects  Psalms  78,  104,  105, 
106,  107,  136,  and  139. — On  the  Hebrew  word,  y&  shir, 
and  the  Greek  word,  QAH,  ode,  the  Doctor  also  remarks  ; 

*  Comment,  on  the  Epistles,  p.  708.  f  Diet,  of  the  Bible. 

X  Lectures  on  Sacred  Poetry,  p.  402. 


128         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED, 

objection,  requiring  us  to  show,  "  that  Our  in- 
structions, in  these  songs,  should  be  drawn  ex- 
clusively from  the  Old  Testament  Psalms" — 
is,  in  part,  anticipated.  I  only  remark  fur- 
ther, that  the  whole  word  of  God  is  profit- 
able ;  the  more  extensive  and  correct  our  ac- 
quaintance with  it  is,  the  better  will  we  be 
furnished  for  every  good  work.  Let  the  ivord 
of  Christ,  whether  found  in  the  one  Testa- 
ment, or  in  the  other,  dwell  richly  in  us,  and 
our  teaching  and  admonitions  will  be  better 
directed,  and  of  course  more  efficient;  and  the 
better  will  we  be  qualified,  too,  to  sing  with 

"  Both  these  words  have  exactly  the  same  power  and  sig- 
nification." Cl<h,  ode,  which  we  render  by  the  word  song, 
is  that  employed  by  the  apostle,  Col.  iii.  16.  As  speci- 
mens of  the  Hebrew  ode,  or  song,  he  refers  to  Psalms  2, 
3.  77,  91, 133,  and  others.  In  the  0,L7nfi?  tejhillim,  and 
tD^V^',  shirim,  of  the  Hebrews,  Dr.  Lowth  could  readily 
find  the  hymn  and  song ;  though  men  of  more  noisy  pre- 
tentions could  discover  neither  the  one  nor  the  other. 

Dr.  Blair,  when  treating-  of  the  different  denominations 
of  odes,  observes:  "  First,  sacred  odes;  hymns  addressed 
to  God,  or  composed  on  religious  subjects.  Of  this  nature 
are  the  Psalms  of  David,  which  exhibit  to  us  this  species 
of  lyric  poetry,  in  its  highest  degree  of  perfection."* 
Again,  says  he,  il  Asaph,  Heman,  and  Jeduthun,  were  the 
chief  directors  of  the  music;  and  from  the  titles  of  some 
Psalms,  it  would  appear  that  they  were  also  eminent  com- 
posers of  hymns,  or  sacred  poems."\  He  further  says — 
"  The  sacred  poetry  is  distinguished  by  the  highest  beau- 
ties of  strong,  concise,  bold,  and  figurative  expression." — 
To  disrelish  its  imagery  is  indeed  "  the  effect  of  false  de- 
licacy."— "  The  style  of  the  poetical  books  of  the  Old 
Testament  is,  beyond  the  style  of  all  other  poetical  works, 
fervid,  bold,  and  animated. — It  is  the  burst  of  inspiration. 
*  Xect.  on  Rhet.  vol.  2,  p.  272:  t  Ibid.  p.  209. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  129 

the  understanding.  Were  the  men  who  em- 
ploy this  style  of  objection,  better  acquainted 
with  the  lessons  of  the  inspired  volume,  we 
should  not  hear  from  them  language  so  very 
unguarded. 

To  the  fourth  demand  I  answer,  that  the 
whole  worship  of  the  church  of  God,  since  the 
revelation  of  the  first  promise  of  mercy  to 
man,  has  been  conducted  through  the  media- 
tion  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  church  of  God,  in 
every  age,  is  one;  the  covenant  of  grace  is 
one;  the  Mediator  is  one;  and  to  the  church 
of  old  he  was  as  really  revealed,  as  he  is  to 
the  church  at  this  day;  and  was,  by  her  be- 
lieving members,  as  really  confided  in  for  sal- 
vation, as  by  the  saints  of  New  Testament 
times.     The   object   of  worship   has   always 

The  whole  Book  of  Psalms  is  to  be  considered  as  a  col- 
lection of  sacred  odes."* 

May  not  the  Hebrew  distinction  of  the  sacred  songs,  cor- 
respond with,  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs  ?  tZD'Snflj 
tehillim, praises — the  title  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  which, 
as  Dr.  Lowth  observes,  might  be  properly  translated  hymns. 
CD^IDID,  mismorim,  poems:  "  A  poem  is  called  in  He- 
brew, 11DT0,  mizmob,  as  Ps.  iii.  1. — It  is  thus  called  in 
reference  to  the  verse  and  number."  CTYt^,  shirim, 
songs,  as  Psalms  120,  121,  &c.  Here  are  Hebrew  denomi- 
nations of  the  sacred  poetry,  exactly  corresponding  to  the 
hymns,  poems,  or  psalms  and  so?igs,  of  the  New  Testament. 
Why  they  are  designated  spiritual,  is  easy  to  know  from 
their  contents.  The  subject  matter  is  spiritual ;  the  glory 
and  works  of  God,  the  graces  and  exercises  of  the  soul. 
But  on  this  subject,  among  men  of  sense,  whose  minds  are 
superior  to  the  littleness  of  a  trick,  there  is  no  dispute 
*  lect.  on  Rhet.  vol.  2,  pp.  302—311. 


130         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

been  the  same,  and  the  great  medium  of  ac- 
cess, the  Son  of  God,  as  Redeemer,  has  like- 
wise been  the  same. — There  is  not  salvation 
in  any  other.  How  then  can  it  be  denied, 
that  the  "  Old  Testament  worship  was  con- 
ducted in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus" — or, 
in  truth  be  said — "  the  very  reverse  appears 
to  be  the  truth" — and  then  assert — "  the  Old 
Testament  church  had  no  access  to  God,  but 
through  priests  and  sacrifices  ?"*  With  the 
same  degree  of  truth  may  it  be  said,  that  the 
New  Testament  church  has  no  access  to  God, 
but  through  ministers,  and  sacraments,  &x. 
The  ordinances  of  worship,  under  the  old  and 
new  dispensations,  are  indeed  not  precisely 
the  same ;  but  whatever  the  rites  of  worship 
were,  or  now  are,  the  medium  of  acceptance 
has  been,  and  will  ever  be,  the  same.  This 
was  not  unknown  to  the  Israelitish  saint.  He 
was  taught,  that  sacrifice  and  offering  God  did 
not  desire;  these  were  at  all  times  shown  to 
be  inadequate  to  the  display  of  Jehovah's 
grace  and  glory — The  pious  Jew  understood 
his  Saviour's  voice,  when  he  proclaimed, 
6  Lo  !  I  come  :  in  the  volume  of  the  book  it 
is  written  of  me;  I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  O 
my  God.'f  J 

*  Latta,  Pref.  p.  7.  t  Ps.  xl.  6,  7, 8.    Heb.  x.  5—9. 

X  Hear,  on  this  subject,  the  language  and  doctrine  of  all 
the  Presbyterian  churches  :  "  Religious  worship  is  to  be 
given  to  God,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost; — and,  since 
the  fall,  not  without  a  Mediator;  nor  in  the  mediation  of 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.    131 

Whether  or  not  the  sentiments  couched  in, 
and  expressed  by,  the  language  of  the  objec- 
tion, be  worthy  of  Christian  regard,  I  leave  to 
the  Christian  to  decide;  confident  in  the  mean 
time,  that  in  the  moment  of  serious  reflection, 
he  will  not  contend,  that  the  word  of  Christ 
is,  exclusively,  restricted  to  the  writings  of 
the  New  Testament;  that  Psalms,  and  Hymns, 
and  Spiritual  Songs,  are  not  to  be  found  in 
the  volume  of  inspiration;  that  the  apostle  en- 
joins it  on  all,  or  on  any,  of  the  members  of 
the  church,  to  commence  hymn  makers  for 
her  public  worship  ;  or,  that  there  was  some 
other  way  of  access  to  God,  for  Old  Testa- 
ment saints,   than  by  his  Son  as  Mediator.* 


any  other,  but  of  Christ  cr/o??e."t  Those  who  subscribe 
this  ik  form  of  sound  words"  ought  to  understand  it ;  and 
understanding  it,  they  ought  not  to  contradict  it.  The  at- 
tempt  to  puzzle,  for  a  moment,  an  opponent,  will  not  jus- 
tify us  in  teaching  that  there  has  been,  for  sinners,  a  way 
ofaccess  to  God,  beside  Jesus  Christ ;  and,  more  espe- 
cially, when  it  is  considered,  that  such  doctrine  contra- 
dicts, in  no  very  courtly  manner,  both  the  express  word 
of  God,  and  the  symbol  to  which  we  have  pledged  our 
vow. 

t  Conf.  of  Faith,  chap.  21.  §  2. 

*  Before  I  dismiss  this  subject,  I  would  once  more  call 
the  reader's  attention  to  this  point,  on  which  the  advocates 
of  our  little  hymn  books  expend  no  small  portion  of  their 
breath.  It  is  thus  expressed  by  Mr.  Freeman  :  "  There  is 
no  Psalm  of  David,  in  which  we  are  directed  to  approach 
God  in  the  duty  of  praise  and  thanksgiving,  for  the  pecu- 
liar blessings  of  the  gospel,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ."; 
What  are  the  peculiar  blessings  of  the  gospel?  Are  they 
not  the  redemption  of  the  soul,  a  new  heart,  pardon  of 
\  Freeman's  Discourse,  p.  6.  and  Latja's  Pref.  p.  7i 


132         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

Arguments  of  the  following  description,  cover 
the  pages  of  the  opposers  of  our  Bible  songs : 
"  Under  every  dispensation  of  God,  new  fa- 
vours have  demanded  and  obtained  a  new  song 
of  praise;  as  in  the  case  of  Israel  at  the  Red 
sea;  that  of  Deborah  and  Barak,  of  David 
and  the  prophets,  under  the  Old  Testament ; 
and  under  the  New  Testament,  the  instances 
of  Zecharias,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Simeon,  and 


sin,  communion  with  God,  and  assurance  of  a  blessed  im- 
mortality ?  He  must  indeed  be  very  slightly  acquainted 
with  the  Book  of  Psalms,  who  cannot  find  these  subjects 
in  its  pages.  It  may  be  worth  while  to  ask  some  of  our 
friends,  who  chime  so  frequently  and  so  long  on  the  words, 
"  offering  praise  in  the  name  of  Christ ,"  what  they  pre- 
cisely intend  by  the  expression.  Is  it,  that  from  a  sense 
of  our  unworthiness,  and  out  of  gratitude  to  God  for  all 
his  benefits,  we  approach  his  throne  through  the  mediation 
of  the  Saviour  :  and  viewing  that  Saviour,  as  placed  at  the 
head  of  the  economy  of  salvation,  out  of  regard  to  his 
authority,  receive  and  observe  his  institutions ;  thus  exer- 
cising, in  all  our  deportment,  an  habitual  reliance  upon 
him  for  acceptance,  before  the  Father,  as  he  sustains  the 
claims  of  the  Godhead  ?  Views  and  exercises  such  as 
these,  run  through,  and  constitute  the  spirit  of  the  Book 
of  Psalms.  Nothing  less  would  be  consistent  with  the  sys- 
tem of  grace ;  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  operated  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  subjects  of  grace,  and  indited  those  spiritual 
songs,  understood  well  the  scheme  of  mercy  ;  and  on  no 
other  scheme  could  he  direct  them  to  God.  But  will  it  be 
contended,  that  the  express  words  and  letters,  constituting 
the  sounds,  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  or,  for  Christ's  sake,  are 
necessary  to  evangelical  songs  of  praise  ?  How  many,  I 
demand,  of  those  imitations  and  hymns,  which  have  suc- 
ceeded in  banishing  the  inspired  Psalms,  because  of  this 
supposed  defect,  have  supplied  it  ?  Count  the  number, 
and  tell  us  how  many ;  then  atone  for  the  quibble  by  aj 
least  a  secret  blush  of  senerows  sharnn. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED,  133 

Anna,  are  all  in  point.  The  special  provi- 
dences which  passed  over  them,  authorized  a 
special  song.  We  must  follow  their  exam- 
ples, or  be  destitute  of  appropriate  matter  of 
praise."  Thus  they  declaim,  and  they  call  it 
argument.  But  will  it  bear  examination  ?  I 
submit  the  following  remarks. 

According  to  the  spirit  of  this  objection,  as 
every  new  favour  demands  a  new  song,  a 
psalm,  whether  of  divine  or  human  composi- 
tion, can  be  only  once  appropriately  used. 
This,  however,  our  objecting  friends  do  not 
act  upon  themselves;  for  they  use  the  same 
hymn  oftener  than  once;  though  no  two  cir- 
cumstances be  precisely  the  same.  Consis- 
tency, on  the  principle  of  the  exception,  would 
lead  to  the  preclusion  of  a  psalm  or  hymn 
book  altogether.  Every  day  brings  its  new 
mercies,  and  of  course  should  bring  its  new 
song.  Nay,  every  individual  has  his  special 
favours,  and  should  produce  his  special  hymn ! 
But  disorderly  as  Zion  now  is,  still  more  dis- 
orderly would  her  assemblies  be,  were  our 
brethren  consistent  with  themselves. 

The  objectors  should  prove,  that  such  ex- 
pressions of  devout  sensibility,  as  those  of 
Zecharias,  Mary,  &c.  were  intended  to  be  in- 
troduced as  models,  according  to  which  our 
New  Testament  Zion  should,  in  future  times, 
be  supplied  with  sacred  songs.  This  has 
been  said,  and  with  confidence  too  ;  but  it  has 
not  been  proved.   No  person  doubts  that  gra- 


134         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

titude  is  due,  on  the  reception  of  divine  mer- 
cies, or  that  this  devout  feeling  should  be 
suitably  expressed;  but  certainly  this  proves 
nothing  for  a  human  system,  or  collection  of 
songs  in  our  public  praise.  Again  observe, 
that 

Those  who  composed  the  public  songs  of 
Zion,  were  not  only  inspired,  but  also  were 
under  the  special  influence  of  the  Spirit  of 
inspiration,  in  that  service.  Their  composi- 
tions were,  accordingly,  not  only  embodied 
with  the  sacred  Scriptures,  but  were  also  dis- 
tinctly collected  into  a  Book  of  Psalms.  When 
our  modest  brethren  shall  have  substantiated 
their  claims  to  similar  qualifications  and  ap- 
pointments, it  will  be  soon  enough  for  us  to 
confess  the  legitimacy  of  their  productions  to 
a  place  beside,  or  above  the  scripture  songs. 
I  demand  a  proof  from  the  word  of  God,  that, 
ivith  divine  approbation,  a  hymn  of  human 
composure  was,  under  any  dispensation  of 
grace,  admitted  into  the  psalmody  of  the 
church.  Let  the  friends  of  innovation  esta- 
blish this,  or  tell  us  how  they  will  free  them- 
selves from  the  charge  of  being  advocates  of 
will-worship.     Again,  it  is  thus  objected: 

"  The  Scripture  Psalms  are  abrogated:  they 
were  adapted  to  the  ceremonial  rites,  and  so 
intimately  connected  with,  and  founded  on 
them,  that  they  have  no  being  beyond  the  ce- 
remonial institutions  themselves.  The  fact, 
that  the  Old  Testament  churrh  had  a  form  of 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  135 

psalmody  adapted  to  her  state,  proves  that  we 
should  have  one  suitable  to  the  condition  of 
the  New  Testament  dispensation." 

This  objection,  as  Dr.  Ridgely  shows  us  in 
his  System  of  Divinity,  sets  aside  the  reading 
of  the  Book  of  Psalms  in  our  day;  for  if  it  be 
unfit  for  us  to  sing  it,  it  is  no  less  so  to  read 
it.  There  is  no  essential  difference  between 
the  dispositions  of  mind  requisite  to  reading 
and  singing.  The  same  ends  are,  substantially, 
to  be  sought  by  one  and  the  other.  Nay, 
every  part  of  Scripture,  whether  of  Old  or 
New  Testament,  that  alludes  to  the  peculiar 
forms  of  lsraefitish  worship,  must  be  ex- 
punged as  unprofitable.  Jesus  as  the  Lamb 
of  God,  and  as  the  bread  of  life;  Christ  as 
our  pass over,  sacrificed  for  us;  as  our  High 
Priest,  having  entered  within  the  vail ;  and 
the  representation  of  our  devotions,  as  living 
sacrifices  offered  to  God,  must  all  be  blotted 
out;  because,  between  them  and  ancient  rites 
there  is  a  connexion ;  or,  because  they  allude 
to  modes,  that,  formally,  are  practised  no 
more.  Whatever  havoc  this  would  make  in 
the  Book  of  God,  it  would  be  consistent  with 
the  spirit  of  the  objection.* 

*  Although  not  a  Baxterian,  yet  with  pleasure  I  confess 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Baxter,  in  talent,  industry,  liberality  of  sen- 
timent, and  piety,  had  few  to  equal  him.  In  his  Cases  of 
Conscience,  he  proposes  this  question:  "  Is  it  lawful  to  use 
David's  Psalms  in  our  assemblies  ?"  He  replies  in  the  af- 
firmative, and  assigns  four  reasons  for  the  assertion.  He 
concludes  by  saying;,  "  If  it  be  lawful  to  sing;  psalms  of 


136         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

It  would  not  be  improper  to  inquire,  what 
was  the  connexion  between  these  sacred  songs 
and  the  Mosaic  rites,  and,  what  is  the  relation 
between  the  New  Testament  representations 
of  the  whole  system  of  grace,  and  the  autho- 
rized practices  of  the  Jewish  church.  The 
result  of  such  inquiry  would  show,  that  the 
worship  of  that  church  contemplated  the 
Eternal  Deity  as  the  object  of  devotion ; 
a  Mediator,  as  making  atonement  for  sin,  the 
way  of  approaching  this  object ;  the  piety  of 
the  heart,  expressed  in  forms  divinely  pre- 
scribed, the  only  acceptable  service;  and,  that 
to  those  forms  the  scripture  songs  refer,  chiefly, 
as  the  means  of  exhibiting  these  fundamental 
principles  of  real  godliness.  These  are  the 
great  principles  presented  to  man,  in  the  writ- 
ings of  the  New  Testament;  and,  between 
their  description  in  the  one  Testament,  and  de- 
lineation in  the  other,  there  exists  a  remark- 
able correspondence.  They  are  two  blazes 
of  moral  splendour  combined,  shedding  their 

our  own,  or  our  neighbour's  making,  much  more  of  God's 
making,  by  his  Spirit  in  his  prophets."  He  then  states 
the  objection  which  has,  with  so  little  thought,  been  urged 
so  often  since :  "  They  are  not  suitable  to  all  our  cases, 
nor  to  all  the  assembly."  To  this  he  replies  in  three  re- 
marks, of  such  solidity  as  must  be  felt  by  every  candid 
mind ;  and  dismisses  the  subject  in  these  words :  u  The 
sectarian  objections  against  singing  David's  Psalms,  are 
so  frivolous ,  that  I  will  not  tire  the  reader  with  any  more." 
Mr.  Baxter  was  no  bigot;  in  some  speculations  he  was 
indeed  mistaken ;  but  for  truth  he  was  a  sufferer,  and  its' 
power,  in  the  life  of  godliness,  he  well  understood. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  137 

united  beams  on  the  extended  system  of  grace, 
which  could  not  be  so  fairly  and  impressively 
seen  in  the  light  of  any  one  of  them,  should 
the  other  be  extinguished.  The  plan  of  grace 
is  one.  Both  Testaments  embrace  the  same 
great  principles  of  religion;  the  Old,  as  well 
as  the  New,  testifies  of  Jesus.*  It  was  of  the 
writings  of  Moses  and  the  prophets  he  spoke, 
when  he  said,  Starch  the  Scriptures — they  tes- 
tify of  me.  How  deeply  must  we  deplore, 
that  any  disciple  of  the  Saviour  should  at- 
tempt to  invalidate  this  testimony,  or  extin- 
guish this  light!  Can  you,  ye  friends  of  the 
Redeemer,  devise  no  better  way  to  serve  your 
Lord?  what  but  an  insupportable  cause  could 
require  such  reasoning  as  this :  "  The  church 
of  God  in  former  times  had  a  system  of  psal- 
mody given  by  divine  inspiration,  adapted  to 
her  circumstances;  but  it  is  necessary  that  we 
should  have  a  system  of  songs,  adapted  to  the 
present  circumstances  of  the  church;  there- 
fore— what  ? — every  poet  has  a  right  to  make 
uninspired  hymns  for  the  use  of  the  church !" 
This  is  really  the  argument;  but  who  per- 
ceives not  that  it  is  a  bad  one  ?  The  premises 
do  not  authorize  the  conclusion. 

The  truth  is,  the  Old  Testament  Psalms 
are  perfectly  suitable  to  our  dispensation. 
God  and  his  perfections  are  the  same;  the 
graces  and  exercises  of  the  saint  are  substan- 

*  John  v.  39. 

12* 


138  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

tially  the  same  at  all  times;  the  description 
and  expression  of  these,  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
we  prefer  to  the  paintings  of  uninspired  men. 
If  unsuitable,  what  pity  that  neither  Jesus  nor 
his  apostles,  at  any  time,  gave  the  most  dis- 
tant hint  of  this  fact;  nor  did  they,  so  far  as 
we  know,  attempt  to  supply  the  defect.  Again, 
it  is  affirmed,  that 

"  We  cannot  sing  these  Psalms  without  con- 
tradiction and  falsehood;  for  they  describe  not 
our  case.  We  cannot  sing  in  truth,  that  we 
will  offer  burnt- offerings ;  nor  call  upon  one 
another,  in  our  song,  to  employ  the  harp  and 
the  cymbal;  while  such  offerings  are  not  to  be 
made,  and  such  instruments  not  to  be  em- 
ployed.— What  have  we  to  do  with  the  deli- 
verances of  Israel,  the  victories  of  David, 
and  the  worship  at  Jerusalem  ?'■ 

Verily  this  objection,  like  the  rest,  makes 
sweeping  work.  Have  the  objectors  forgot- 
ten, that  all  scripture  is  profitable?  But  the 
whole  of  the  above  argument  is  exception- 
able; because,  as  has  been  shown,  we  may 
sing  of  what  is  not  precisely  our  own  case, 
otherwise  all  congregated  singing  must  cease. 
In  an  assembly  of  a  thousand  persons,  how 
many  of  that  thousand  are  in  circumstances, 
internal  and  external,  exactly  the  same? — 
Comparatively  few.  What  does  the  argument 
lead  to  in  such  a  case?  That  every  one  must 
bring  a  psalm  and  a  doctrine  suitable,  as  he 
supposes,   tp  his  own  case.     Then,   indeed^ 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  139 

we  would  find  a  practice  corresponding  with 
the  sentiments  of  our  objecting  brethren;  but, 
at  the  same  time,  a  practice  condemned  by 
apostolic  rebuke — '  How  is  it  then,  brethren, 
when  ye  come  together,  every  one  of  you  hath 
a  psalm?'  For  our  instruction  we  may  sing 
the  experience  of  others,  though  that  be  not 
precisely  our  own.  Thus  the  congregation  of 
Israel  sung  the  deliverance  of  their  fathers, 
and  the  experience  of  their  inspired  Psalmists, 
in  ages  after  the  existence  of  those  events.  In 
the  spirit  of  modern  objection  it  might  have 
been  impertinently  inquired  at  our  Lord,  in 
the  days  of  his  sorrow,  and  at  those  too  with 
whom  he  united  in  the  solemnities  of  worship, 
what  they  had  to  do  with  the  victories  of  Da- 
vid, the  deliverance  from  Egypt,  the  division 
of  the  sea,  and  the  movements  of  the  moun- 
tains. Messiah,  however,  united  in  those  songs ; 
in  singing  them,  he  did  not  suspect  any  ground 
for  charging  him  with  uttering  a  falsehood  to 
his  God,  or  practising  a  contradiction.  The 
sentiments  of  the  objection  are  inadmissible, 

Because  they  destroy  correct  views  of  the 
church  of  God,  and  tend  to  contract  the  hearts 
of  her  members.  The  church  of  Jesus  is  one 
ancient  and  extended  association.  She  is  an 
immortal  moral  person.  Every  friend  of  God, 
no  matter  how  remote  the  age  in  which  he 
lived,  is  confessed  a  member  of  this  illustrious 
society.  Every  dispensation  of  goodness, 
every  act  of  mercy  to  the  humblest  of  her 


140         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

members,  she  recollects  with  gratitude.  The 
victories  they  achieved,  the  blessings  they  ob- 
tained, the  consolations  bestowed  upon  them, 
and  the  means  of  their  acquisition,  she  loves 
to  recount,  and,  with  pious  emotion,  blesses 
her  God,  in  the  use  of  those  inspired  songs 
in  which  they  are  recorded.  Let  the  bigot, 
and  the  cold  blooded  votary  of  selfishness,  con- 
tract their  views,  and  narrow  their  hearts  to 
the  little  circles  in  which  they  move;  but  let 
no  generous  son  of  Zion  act  such  an  ungrate- 
ful part.  The  religion  of  his  Bible  is  equally 
favourable  to  enlargement  of  intellect,  and 
expansion  of  affection.  Let  him  understand 
it  well;  and  the  sympathies  of  his  heart  will 
beat  in  unison  with  the  joys  and  sorrows  of 
the  saint,  whether  he  find  him  in  the  Arabian 
desart,  on  the  sacred  mountains  of  Israel,  or 
under  the  willows  by  the  rivers  of  Babylon. 
In  the  providences  of  former  times,  he  will  re- 
cognize a  bearing  on  the  existence,  the  faith, 
the  consolations,  the  hopes,  and  the  practice 
of  the  church,  in  succeeding  days;  and,  pas- 
sing strange  would  it  be  indeed,  if,  in  such  a 
case,  his  heart  should  remain  unmoved,  and 
his  lips  be  sealed  in  silence.  And  in  what 
language  would  his  heart  desire  to  express  its 
sensibilities,  but  in  that  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ? 

But  the  objection  is  unfounded:  for  the 
dispensations  to  the  church,  in  the  days  of  old, 
were  the  dispensation  of  Messiah.  He  who 
ascended  on  high,  after  his  humiliation,  was  at 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  141 

mount  Sinai  before  it.*  He  it  was  who  is 
characterized  as  the  Angel  of  Jehovah's  pre- 
sence, that  saved,  redeemed,  bare,  and  carried 
them  all  the  days  of  old.\  From  the  fall  of 
man,  the  Son  of  God,  as  Mediator,  has  been 
the  actual  administrator  of  divine  providence. 
His  hand  is  visible  in  all  that  concerned,  or 
does  concern,  his  church.  Though  we  do 
not  bring,  literally,  a  burnt-offering  from  the 
fold,  or  from  the  stall,  yet  we  may,  and  surely 
ought  to  bring  before  God,  a  fervent  zeal,  and 
an  ardent  love ;  and,  in  the  exercise  of  an 
unfeigned  faith,  every  believer  really  brings 
before  his  God,  the  blood  of  that  ineffably 
valuable  victim,  to  which  the  devout  worship- 
per was  referred,  by  the  sacrificial  rites  of 
Moses ;  and  without  reliance  on  which,  he  did 
not  hope  for  acceptance.  Since  faith  was  first 
found  on  earth,  these  evangelical  sentiments 
were  well  understood ;  hence  God  inquired, 
'  Will  I  eat  the  flesh  of  bulls,  or  drink  the 
blood  of  goats?'  He  taught  his  people,  that 
he  would  not  '  be  pleased  with  thousands  of 
rams,  nor  with  ten  thousand  rivers  of  oil.' 
Thus  instructed,  the  penitent  prophet  could, 
while  pouring  forth  the  tears  of  grief,  sing, 
'  Thou  delightest  not  in  burnt- offering,'  as 
any  atonement  for  sin.  Could  the  Israelite, 
without  falsehood  and  contradiction,  sing 
these,  and  similar  lines   to   God  ?     With  as 

Ps.  lxviii.  17.  18.     Eph.  iv.  8.         f  Isu.  lxiii.  9. 


142 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 


easy  an  exposition,  and  as  true  an  accommo- 
dation, can  we  sing,  that  we  will  come  into  his 
house,  and  bring  an  offering  with  us.* 


*  The  truth  is,  no  Christian  ever  felt  his  devotion  em- 
barrassed by  such  a  phraseology.  When  intending  to 
cavil,  or  to  cover  a  retreat,  to  offer  such  objections  may 
serve  a  temporary  purpose ;  but  withal  it  is  still  below  a 
man  of  sense,  and  much  more  unworthy  a  man  of  piety. 
Equally  trivial  is  the  exception,  respecting  the  mention  of 
the  musical  instruments  of  the  temple  worship.  Though 
we  do  not  employ  the  cymbal  or  the  harp,  in  chanting  our 
solemn  song,  the  naming  of  them  is  neither  impertinent  nor 
vain.  The  ancient  use  of  such  instruments  instructs  us, 
that  in  celebrating  the  praises  of  God,  we  should  call  forth 
the  voice  of  melody,  as  expressive  of  affections  well  attuned 
to  the  delightful  exercise.  And  may  not  the  Christian  as 
consistently  sing  these  portions  of  holy  song,  as  the  Jew 
did  in  his  synagogue,  where  an  instrument  of  music  was 
not  employed;  or  as  the  Israelite  in  his  dwelling,  who  ne- 
ver owned  an  organ,  and  whose  hand  never  touched  the 
strings  of  a  harp?  And,  at  any  rate,  this  objection  comes 
with  no  very  great  degree  of  consistency,  from  our  Pres- 
byterian friends,  who  direct  the  music  of  their  beloved 
hymns  with  the  bass  violin  and  German  flute.  Nay,  though 
they  possess  no  harp,  and  recognize  no  altar,  yet  their 
imitation  of  the  43d  Psalm  teaches  the  worshipper  to  sing. 

Before  thine  altar,  Lord, 

My  harp  and  song  shall  sound 

The  glories  of  thy  word. 

Comparatively  few  of  the  Psalms  of  inspiration  speak  in 
the  typical  language  of  the  Old  Testament  institutions ; 
and  that  language,  in  those  few,  by  no  means  renders  them 
obscure  to  the  Christian,  who  is  duly  conversant  with  his 
Bible.  The  truth  is,  "  the  writers  of  the  New  Testament. 
wrote  in  the  idiom  of  the  synagogue. "t  The  phraseology 
is  that  of  the  Israelitish  nation,  clothed  in  Greek  words. 
i;  The  figure  in  the  Psalms  is  that  which  is  peculiar  to  the 
Hebrew  language,  in  which  the  figure  gives  its  meaning 
with  as  much  perspicuity  as  the  plainest  speech. "i 
*  Campbell.  J  Horsley. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  143 

The  cause,  indeed,  must  be  very  bad,  where 
determined  advocates  cannot  find  something 
to  say.  That  what  has  no  great  plausibility, 
will  often  succeed  in  persuading  a  previously 
inclined  mind,  has  been  long  remarked ;  and 
the  remark  will  probably  find  an  illustration 
in  the  remaining  arguments,  which  I  shall 
briefly  review. 

It  is  asked,  "  Since  we,  in  prayer',  employ 
our  own  compositions,  wlxy  not  do  the  same  in 
our  songs  of  praiseV  I  reply:  Because  the 
cases  are  not  similar.  Prayer  and  praise  are 
distinct  ordinances.  There  is  not  the  same 
necessity  for  a  liturgy  of  prayer,  that  there  is 
for  a  system  of  sacred  songs ;  we  can  have 
social  prayer  without  a  prescribed  form,  but 
not  social  singing  of  praise.  Again,  God  has 
not  seen  meet  to  appoint,  at  any  time,  for  the 
stated  use  of  his  church,  a  book  of  prayers; 
but  he  has  given  an  inspired  Book  of  Psalms , 
and  Hymns,  and  Spiritual  Songs.  And,  last- 
ly, observe,  that  the  Lord  has  promised  his 
Spirit,  as  the  Spirit  of  supplications,  to  help 
the  infirmities  of  his  sanctified  ones,  who  nei- 
ther know  how  to  pray,  nor  for  what  to  pray, 
as  they  ought;  but  on  the  page  of  inspiration 
there  is  no  promise  of  aid  from  his  Spirit,  in 
the  composition  of  a  book  of  hymns,  for  the 
public  service  of  his  church.  This  seems  to 
intimate,  that  to  such  a  work  he  proposed  not 
to  call  any  of  her  sons.    These  three  remarks 


144         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

satisfy  me  upon  the  subject — What  shall  sa- 
tisfy those  who  adopt  the  other  side  of  the 
question,  is  not  for  me  to  decide. 

The  supposed  obscurity  of  the  Book  of  Psalms, 
is  alleged  as  a  reason  for  the  preference  of  the 
modern  hymn  book.  In  this  argument  there 
is  undoubtedly  some  truth;  yet  it  proves  but 
little.  The  hymn  book  of  the  modern  poet, 
however  swelled  it  may  be,  has  infinitely  less 
meaning  than  the  Book  of  Psalms;  it  requires 
less  intellect  and  industry  to  enter  into  its  spi- 
rit ;  less  acquaintance  with  the  truths,  provi- 
dence, and  grace  of  God,  to  understand  it; 
and  much  less  perfection  to  come  up  to  its  de- 
mands, than  do  the  songs  of  inspiration.  But 
this  argument  goes  much  too  far.  Whatever 
force  it  has  in  setting  aside  the  Book  of  Psalms, 
from  its  primary  use,  will  operate  no  less 
powerfully  against  the  whole  Bible.  One  of 
our  modern  evangelizers  might,  perhaps,  be 
found  capable  of  furnishing  the  world  with  a 
system  of  divinity,  theoretical  and  practical, 
much  more  easily  understood  than  the  writ- 
ings of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments ;  and, 
probably,  by  employing  an  ambiguous  phra- 
seology, and  "  a  charitable  latitude"  of  mean- 
ing, there  might  be  little,  if  any  thing,  found 
in  it  contrary  to  the  word  of  truth.  What 
would  be  thought  of  substituting  such  a  sys- 
tem in  place  of  the  Bible  ?  This  would,  as  in 
the  case  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  supersede  all 


OBJECTIONS   CONSIDERED.  145 

the  labours  of  exposition.  Mr.  Freeman* 
disapproves  of  lecturing  upon  an  inspired 
Psalm,  in  order  to  sing  it  with  understanding. 7 
He  prefers  those  "  psalms  which  carry  the  ex- 
plication in  themselves."  "  This  explication 
is  given,"  he  says,  "  in  the  version  (Imitation?) 
of  Dr.  Watts."  If,  then,  an  imitation  of  the 
Bible,  of  more  easy  comprehension  than  the 
Bible  itself,  can  be  found,  why  not  adopt  it 
in  place  of  that  mysterious  and  inspired  book? 
If  the  above  reason  has  any  weight,  it  would 
lead  the  man  who  consistently  pursues  it,  to 
the  result  now  stated.J 

*  Discourse,  p.  23. 

f  Some  ministers  employ  a  portion  of  the  Sabbath  in 
expounding  a  part  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  ;  not  because 
they  suppose  that  book  to  be  peculiarly  obscure,  or  difficult 
of  understanding- :  but  because  it  is  peculiarly  devotional, 
and  so  specially  suited  to  the  services  of  the  Lord's  day. 

X  It  discovers  no  small  degree  of  shallowness  to  argue, 
as  do  Messrs.  Freeman,  Baird,  and  others,  that  to  sing  a 
paraphrase  is  preferable  to  singing  an  inspired  song,  after 
making  upon  it  an  expository  lecture.  The  lecturer  or 
paraphrast,  whether  he  communicates  his  exposition  from 
the  pulpit  or  the  press,  may  err,  may  mistake  the  spirit  of 
the  text,  may  only  communicate  a  part  of  its  meaning  ; 
and  at  best  can  only  profess  to  aid  in  understanding  it, 
Is  it  not  then  better  still  to  retain  the  text  ?  It  is  uncor- 
rupt,  still  retains  its  spirit  and  plenitude  of  meaning,  and, 
from  it,  the  saint  will  derive  what  no  exposition  can  give. 
What  is  now  said  might  be  exemplified  from  every  page 
of  Watts'  Imitation.  Take,  for  instance,  Ps8lm  xlv.  9. 
"  Upon  thy  right  hand  did  stand  the  queen  in  gold  of 
Ophir."  This  is  the  text.  It  is  the  word  of  God.  Here 
is  the  Scottish  metre  version  of  these  words: 
Upon  thy  right  hand  did  the  queen 
In  gold  of  Ophir  stand. 

13 


146         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

We  know,  indeed,  that  our  brethren  who 
use  and  vindicate  the  use  of  the  Imitation  of 
the  Psalms,  and  other  hymns,  would  shrink 
from  such  a  conclusion.  Why,  then,  do  they 
embrace  premises  from  which  that  conclusion 

Those  who  confess  the  prose  to  be  the  language  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  will  not  deny  the  metre  to  be  equally  sacred. 
Let  us  now  see  the  version  and  exposition  of  Dr.  Watts — 

At  his  right  hand  our  eyes  behold 
The  queen,  arrayed  in  purest  gold : 
The  world  admires  her  heavenly  dress, 
Her  robes  of  joy  and  righteousness. 

Now,  although  the  ideas  of  the  text  are  not  fully  given 
in  the  two  first  lines,  and  what  are  given  are  but  feebly 
expressed,  yet  they  are  not  so  exceptionable  as  the  two 
last  lines,  which  labour  under  the  very  great  inconvenience 
of  being  untrue;  for  the  world,  as  distinguished  from  the 
church,  never  admired  her  heavenly  dress,  her  robe  of  joy 
and  righteousness.  It  is  her  dress,  her  robe  of  righteous- 
ness  and  holy  joy,  that  have  made  the  church  an  object  of 
hatred  and  derision  to  the  world.  The  ivorld  hateth  you, 
is  the  testimony  of  the  faithful  witness,  John  xv.  19.  and 
xvii.  14.  Those  who  are  described  as  haters  of  the  light, 
as  not  submitting  to  God's  righteousness,  but  as  enemies  of 
all  righteousness,  are  certainly  not  likely  to  admire  these 
in  the  church;  Rom.  x.  3.  Acts  xiii.  10.  Of  a  similar  cha- 
racter are  the  following  lines  : 

A  soul  oppress'd  with  sin's  desert, 

My  God  will  ne'er  despise. 

The  cases  of  Cain,  Judas,  and  all  the  trembling  devils  of 
hell,  falsify  this  assertion.  It  is  retained  in  many  copies, 
though  expunged  out  of  some.  It  is  calculated  to  foster  a 
false  hope. 

Again,  examine  Ps.  li.  4.  '  Against  thee,  thee  only,  have 
I  sinned,  and  done  this  evil  in  thy  sight;  that  thou  mightest 
be  justified  when  thou  speakest,  and  be  clear  when  thou 
judge  st.' 

'Gainst  thee,  thee  only  have  I  sinn'd, 

In  thy  sight  done  this  ill ; 
That  when  thou  speak'st  thou  raay'st  be  just, 
And  clear  in  judging  still.         *  Scottish  Ver. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  147 

would  necessarily  flow?  I  am  indeed  afraid, 
that  the  fact  on  which  this  objection  is  found- 
ed, ignorance  of  the  Bible,  has  a  very  extensive 
influence,  in  the  banishment  of  inspired  odes 
from  the  psalmody  of  the  church.     And,  like 

Shouidst  thou  condemn  my  soul  to  hell, 

And  crush  my  flesh  to  dust, 
Heaven  would  approve  thy  vengeance  well, 

And  earth  must  own  it  just. 

Watts. 

The  Imitation  is  not  a  version.  It  is  not  even  an  attempt 
at  one.  The  sentiment  is  not  authorized  by  the  Psalm, 
nor  by  any  other  portion  of  Scripture,  that  represents  the 
approved  confession  of  a  penitent.  Never  did  the  Holy 
Ghost  instruct  the  heart,  or  life,  of  a  believing  penitent, 
confessing  sin  and  pleading  for  pardon,  to  contradict  his 
declarations  in  the  inspired  page.  Yet  the  words  and  sen- 
timent of  the  Imitation  are  in  direct  contradiction  to  the 
word  of  God,  in  such  a  case;  and  are  only  fit  for  the  lips 
of  one  in  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  bond  of  iniquity  ;  for, 
'  If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive 

us  our  sins,'  1  John  i.  9. Once  more,  consult  Ps.  xcviii. 

2.  '  The  Lord  hath  made  known  his  salvation.' 

The  Lord  God  his  salvation 
Hath  caused  to  be  known — 

Scottish  Version. 
He  comes  to  make  his  blessing-  flow 

Far  as  the  ciuse  is  found.  ^ 

Watts. 

Is  the  language  of  the  Imitation  here,  the  language  of 
the  text,  or  of  any  other  scripture?  Did  the  Saviour,  in- 
deed, intend  to  make  his  blessing  "  flow  as  far  as  the  curse 
is  found  ?,;  The  curse  is  found  upon  all  devils,  and  wicked 
men  universally ;  Shall  his  blessing,  then,  without  excep- 
tion, reach  them  all  ?  Or  is  a  smooth  line  of  poetry, 
though  containing  a  false  doctrine,  of  more  importance 
than  the  truth  of  God's  word  !  So  much  for  the  possi- 
bility of  an  erroneous  exposition. 

Let  us  next  advert  to  the  possibility  of  mistaking  the 
spirit  of  the  inspired  song.  Take  as  an  example,  Psalm 
lxxxix.  6.  •  For  who  in  the  heaven  can  be  compared  unto 
the  Lord  ?  who  among  the  sons  of  the  mighty  can  be  like- 
ened  unto  the  Lord  ?' 


148  OBJECTIONS   CONSIDERED. 

most  expedients,  we  may  be  pretty  certain, 
that  instead  of  remedying,  the  preference  of 
an  imitation  will  increase  the  evil.  Books, 
whose  scope  is  to  conduct  their  reader  to  the 
lively  oracles  of  truth,  maybe  useful;  but  those 
intended  to  supersede  the  appointed  use  of 
any  portion  of  the  word  of  Cod,  must  be  of 
dangerous  tendency. 

We  have  just  turned  from  an  argument, 
pleading  the  ignorance  of  New  Testament 
worshippers,  as  a  reason  for  setting  aside  the 
Book  of  Psalms  as  the  matter  of  the  church's 


For  who  in  heaven  with  the  Lord 

May  once  himself  compare  ? 
Who  is  like  God  anions  the  sons 

Of  those  that  mighty  are  ? 

Scottish  Version. 

There's  none  of  all  my  sons  above 
So  much  my  image  or  my  love; 
Celestial  powers  thy  subjects  are, 
Then  what  can  earth  to  thee  compare  ? 
Watts. 

The  text  is  the  worshipper's  confession  of  Jehovah's  su- 
preme perfection.  This  is  the  spirit  of  it.  But  what  is  the 
comment,  as  given  in  ithc  Imitation?  Not  the  inspired 
language  of  the  devout  man,  who  does  homage  to  his 
Maker ;  but  the  language  of  the  Father  to  the  Son,  is  the 
gloss  !     This  is  not  the  meaning  of  the  text. 

Once  more,  let  us  attend  to  the  16th  verse  of  the  same 
Psalm;  '  And  in  thy  righteousness  shall  they  be  exalted.' 

And  in  thy  righteousness  shall  they 
Exalted  be  on  high. 

Scottish  Version. 
His  righteousness  exalts  their  hope. 
H  'atls. 

The  idea  in  the  imitation,  is  inadequate  to  the  text.  The 
exaltation  of  the  person,  is  much  more  than  the  elevation 
gf  an  affection  of  his  mind.  But  in  the  imitation  is  none 
of  that  massy  thought,  and  rich  luxuriance  of  meaning, 
which  distinguish  our  inspired  songs. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  149 

song ;  we  now  meet  another  of  an  opposite 
cast.  "  Christian  attainments,  it  seems,  are  of 
an  order  too  high  to  be  suited  with  the  sober 
compositions  of  inspired  men."  How  vain  is 
man!  How  easily  the  soothing  accents  of  flat- 
tery induce  to  self-deception!  Tell  us,  ye 
trumpeters  of  your  own  graces,  what  are  those 
attainments,  and  those  exercises  of  grace, 
which  the  Spirit  of  your  Redeemer  has  not 
described  with  infallible  accuracy  in  the  Book 
of  God? — yea,  even  in  the  Book  of  Psalms? 
Till  you  find  some  not  there  described,  we 
beg  you  to  excuse  a  few  of  your  fellow  pil- 
grims in  the  journey  of  life,  if  they  suspect 
your  boasted  acquisitions  to  be  the  illusions 
of  the  twilight  of  a  partially  instructed  mind. 
We  cannot  highly  admire  that  humility, 
which  induced  the  author  of  the  Imitation 
of  the  Psalms  to  set  himself  before  all  the 
prophets  of  the  Israelitish  church,*  as  to  qua- 
lifications, for  furnishing  us  with  a  system  of 
evangelical  psalms.  To  remedy  such  bloat- 
ings  of  self-complacency,  a  more  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  spirit  which  breathes  in  the 

*  "  Nor  is  the  attempt  (of  making  a  new  psalm  book) 
vain-glorious,  or  presuming-;  for,  in  respect  of  clear  evan- 
gelic knowledge,  the  least  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is 
greater  than  all  the  Jewish  prophets." — Watts'  Pref.  p.  6. 

There  is  a  sense  in  which  the  New  Testament  ministry 
is  superior  to  that  of  the  Old  Testament ; — that  which  to 
the  one  was  matter  of  promise,  is  to  the  other  matter  ot 
fact.  But  was  Dr.  W.  as  well  qualified  to  make  a  book  of 
Psalms,  as  were  David  and  other  prophets  ?  The  Doctcv 
has  intimated  that  he  was  better  qualified,  and  his  friendb 

13* 


150         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

scripture  song,  may  with  confidence  be  recom- 
mended. 

As  an  argument  for  human  composures  hi 
our  psalmody,  we  find  it  further  urged,  that 
"  Old  Testament  songs  are  defective,  and  that  the 
JVeiv  Testament  forms  are  few"  If  the  poetic 
compositions  of  the  New  Testament  be  very 
limited,  instead  of  taking  the  fact  as  an  argu- 
ment to  justify  the  practice  contended  for,  I 
would  rather  understand  it  as  an  admonition 
to  us,  to  confine  ourselves  to  those  portions  of 
the  Book  of  God,  that,  from  their  structure, 
evidently  appear  intended  for  the  purpose  of 
psalmody.  If  he  who  has  the  residue  of  the 
Spirit,  enlarged  not  the  number  of  our  sacred 
hymns,  when  finishing  the  canon  of  revela- 
tion, and  settling,  finally,  the  constitution  of 
his  church,  we  should  proceed  to  the  task  with 
cautious  steps.  We  should  have  his  command. 
Let  us,  then,  turn  to  the  holy  volume ;  and, 
before  we  fill  his  sanctuary  with  our  own  effu- 
sions, let  the  stores  of  inspiration  he  exhausted. 
But,  again,  it  is  contended,  that  "  The 
imitation,  and  the  hymns  of  modern  date,  are 
better  calculated  to  arouse,  to  warm,  and  ele- 
vate the  affections,   than  are  the  productions  of 

agree  with  him ;  for  they  take  his,  and  reject  and  vilify 
that  of  the  others.  We  must  nevertheless  demur  ;  because 
we  know,  that  to  supply  a  system  of  Psalms,  David — and 
others — were  inspired.  We  do  not  believe  this  of  Dr.  W. 
It  requires  the  madness  of  this  enthusiasm  to  go  only  a  lit- 
tle farther,  and  we  shall  have  the  whole  Old  Testament 
rejected,  in  order  to  substitute  the  superior  illusions  of 
some  modern  illuminati. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  151 

inspiration"  So  I  know  it  has  been  said, 
and  no  doubt  thought ;  but  it  is  only  hypo- 
thesis, or  something  worse ;  and  by  what  evi- 
dence is  the  hypothesis  supported?  Affec- 
tions may  be  awakened,  and  the  passions 
thrown  into  tumult,  where  no  piety  exists. 
About  religion  there  may  be  much  elevation 
of  heart,  and  yet  no  genuine  devotion.  In- 
attention to  this  fact  has  proved  as  auspicious 
to  the  progress  of  a  raging  enthusiasm,  as  it 
has  been  unpropitious  to  the  cause  of  the  re- 
ligion of  the  Bible.  That  the  lighter  prin- 
ciples of  our  constitution  may  be  more  rea- 
dily excited,  and  animal  feeling  more  easily 
cast  into  commotion,  by  the  flippant  verbiage 
of  man,  than  by  the  more  deep  and  solemn  de- 
lineations of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  not  hard  of 
belief.  So  Augustine  informs  us,  that  "  the 
Donatists  inflamed  their  minds  with  human 
compositions,  and  reproached  the  orthodox 
for  singing,  with  sobriety,  the  divine  songs  of 
the  prophets." — The  character  of  that  warmth 
which  is  produced  by  the  words  of  man,  ra- 
ther than  from  the  appointed  use  of  those  of 
God,  is  a  just  object  of  suspicion,  and  its  con- 
sequences of  dread.  '  Behold,  all  ye  that 
kindle  a  fire,  that  compass  yourselves  about 
with  sparks;  walk  in  the  light  of  your  fire, 
and  in  the  sparks  that  ye  have  kindled.  This 
shall  ye  have  of  mine  hand,  ye  shall  lie  down 
in  sorrow. 


5* 


Isaiah  1.  11. 


152         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

If  an  elevated  devotion  consist  in  an  ex- 
ercise of  heart  corresponding  to  the  glories 
of  the  divine  character,  as  these  are  dis- 
played in  the  face  of  Jesus,  and  to  our  re- 
lation to  him,  as  saved  sinners,  it  may  very 
reasonably  be  questioned,  whether  the  pro- 
ductions of  human  ingenuity  be  better  adapted 
to  it,  than  the  words  of  God.  Conjecture  is 
no  more  admissible  in  true  religion,  than  in 
genuine  science ;  and,  when  admitted,  is  no 
less  pernicious  in  the  former,  than  it  is  inju- 
rious to  the  latter. 

Much  has  been  ascribed  to  the  influence  of 
pious  hymns,  of  human  composition,  in  the 
religious  movements  of  our  days.  But  before 
any  valid  conclusion  can  be  drawn  from  this, 
in  their  favour,  two  points  must  previously  be 
settled :  The  first  is,  the  character  of  these 
movements.  Should  what  is  most  prominent 
in  these  excitements  be  of  doubtful  character, 
or,  perhaps,  condemnable  at  the  bar  of  in- 
spired truth,  little  commendation  would  be 
due  to  that  influence  by  which  they  are  ef- 
fected. The  next  point  to  be  ascertained,  is, 
supposing  the  character  of  these  movements 
sustained,  as  really  gracious,  was  this  charac- 
ter derived  from  the  use  of  those  hymns  ?  Or 
did  it  proceed  from  the  use  of  other  means, 
divinely  appointed,  to  effect  a  work  of  grace? 
Until  the  friends  of  modern  hymn  books  shall 
have  satisfactorily  settled  these  inquiries, 
which  are  certainly  fair  ones,  others  will  hold 


% 

OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  153 

themselves  excused  in  not  giving  that  credit 
to  the  hypothesis — for  it  is  no  more  than  hy- 
pothesis— which  its  advocates  claim. 

It  is  most  notorious,  that  those  excitements 
called  revivals  of  religion,  which  make  the 
greatest  noise,  are  effected  where  the  most  per- 
nicious errors  are  habitually  taught.  That 
these,  and  modern  hymns,  have  a  great  share 
in  the  production  of  those  noisy  but  short- 
lived agitations,  need  not  be  doubted.  Israel's 
worship  of  the  golden  calf,  was  marked  by  a 
greater  excitement,  than  the  usual  and  ap- 
proved worship  of  Jehovah.  A  visit  to  those 
favoured  districts  of  revival,  a  few  months  af- 
ter a  magazine  description,  or  ecclesiastical 
report  has  been  given  of  the  multitudes  con- 
verted, would  cast  a  shade  of  doubt,  generally, 
on  those  fine  narratives.  And  the  man  who 
considers,  that  the  embracing  of  truth,  turn- 
ing to  God  through  a  crucified  and  exalted  Sa- 
viour, and  living  a  life  of  practical  godliness, 
are  the  best  proofs  of  real  conversion,  wishes, 
sincerely,  that  things  were  published  as  they 
really  are,  and  that  our  country  furnished  one 
journal,  which  would  venture  to  tell  all  the 
truth. 

The  idea  that  the  songs  of  inspiration  are 
inadequate  to  the  elevation  of  modern  devo- 
tion, demands  another  remark.  When  we 
look  to  the  Christian  heroes  of  the  Reforma- 
tion; when  we  review  the  intellectual  pre- 
eminence of  those  champions  for  truth,  who 


154         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED, 

flourished  in  the  16th  and  17th  centuries; — 
when  we  consider  the  ardour  of  their  piety, 
and  the  fervour  of  their  enlightened  zeal;  the 
firmness  of  their  character,  and  the  magni- 
tude of  their  achievements ;  and  compare 
with  these  the  frivolity,  the  indifference  to 
truth,  the  thoughtless  rage  for  innovation, 
that  characterized  the  ecclesiastics  of  the 
eighteenth  century, — the  comparison  is  as 
humbling  to  the  character  of  the  latter,  as  it 
is  honourable  to  the  former.  Yet  among 
those  highly  favoured  men  of  God,  whose  de- 
votion was  of  the  loftiest  kind,  and  whose 
deeds  of  valour,  in  the  cause  of  God  and 
man,  are  immortal; — whose  experience  in  the 
life  of  godliness  was  deep  and  substantial, 
while  their  dangers  were  great  and  their  suf- 
ferings extreme; — among  the  thousands  of 
those  martyrs,  divinely  ennobled  as  they  were, 
not  one  was  found  to  imagine,  that  the  in- 
spired Psalms  were  of  a  character  too  flat  for 
his  piety,  unsuitable  to  a  gospel  day,  or  unfit 
for  the  various  conditions  of  the  Christian 
life.  Such  imaginations  were  unknown  in 
those  days,  when  God  was  seen  among  men, 
dispensing,  in  measures  unusually  large,  the 
gifts  of  his  Spirit.  Complaints  of  the  ob- 
scurity of  the  inspired  page  were  left  to  ex- 
ercise the  blinded  votaries  of  the  Romish 
church;  and,  to  regret  their  flatness,  was  a 
suitable  employment  for  the  raving  devotees 
of  John  of  Leyden.     Robert  Barclay,  Isaac 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  155 

Watts,  John  Wesley,  and  their  devotees,  en- 
gaged in  the  same  unholy  work.  Can  the 
blessing  of  Heaven  rest  on  such  a  course  : 
Hear  the  opinion  of  the  evangelical  Ptomaine. 
"  Experience,"  says  he,  "  demonstrates,  that 
God  does  bless  the  singing  of  Psalms  in  the 
church,  and  does  not  bless  the  singing  of 
men's  hymns." — "  You  may  bring  your  poems 
into  the  church,  and  may  be  vastly  delighted 
with  performing  them  :  so  is  the  vainest  crea- 
ture at  the  opera.  The  pleasure,  inboth cases. 
arises  from  the  same  cause. — But  there  can  be 
no  more  spiritual  edification  in  the  one  than 
in  the  other;  because  neither  of  them  is  the 
ordinance  of  God."* 

It  is  again  contended,  that  "  The  poetic  com- 
positions in  general  use,  particularly  those  of 
Dr.  Watts,  are  more  elegant  in  diction,  and  in 
sentiment  more  evangelical,  than  is  any  literal 
rersion  of  the  Bible  Psalms;  and  therefore  de- 
mand a  preference."  Into  the  literary  merit- 
of  these  compositions,  it  is  at  present  beside 
my  design  to  inquire.  Should  all  that  is 
claimed  for  the  orthodoxy  of  their  sentiments, 
the  correctness  of  their  figures,  and  the  ele- 
gance of  their  diction,  be  admitted,  still  they 
are  but  the  productions  of  human  ingenuity. 
They  are  not  even  imperfect  versions  ;  the  best 
of  them  rise  no  higher  than  partial  imitations. 
Whatever  prettiness   may  belong  to  them,  I 

*  Works,  vol.  8 


156  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

must  prefer  the  words  of  inspiration,  even  in 
a  version  of  the  humblest  pretensions. 

But  this  supposed  excellence  belongs  not 
to  the  compositions  of  Dr.  Watts.  The  fact, 
that  so  much  labour  has  been  emplo}^ed  upon 
the  Imitation  of  the  Psalms,  proves  the  force 
of  the  conviction,  that  it  was  imperfect.  This 
imperfection  extended  to  the  sentiment  as  well 
as  to  the  phraseology.* 

The  idea  of  these  compositions  being  of  a 
character  more  evangelical  than  a  literal  ver- 
sion of  an  inspired  Psalm,  shall  now  claim  no 
farther  notice.  To  hear  the  assertion  from 
the  reputed  friends  of  the  Bible,  is  an  omen 
of  no  good. 

With  full  as  much  confidence,  as  candour, 
it  is  asserted  that,  Dr.  Watts  had  as  good  a 
right   to   make,    or  translate  psalms,   as  Mr. 

*  We  know,  indeed,  that  to  intimate  this  is  unsafe,  even 
in  men  of  eminence.  The  character  of  the  late  Dr. 
Dwight,  as  a  man  of  literature  and  taste,  is  deservedly 
high  in  our  country  ;  yet  such  was  the  strength  of  the  tor- 
rent of  public  opinion  amongst  us,  in  favour  of  the  Imita- 
tioiij  errors  and  all,  that  even  the  President  of  Yale  Col- 
lege dared  to  correct  only  apart  of  these.  Dr.  Watts,  he 
says  "  was  not  distinguished  as  a  correct  ivriter."  Thus, 
still  the  imperfections  of  the  work  are  proclaimed. — These 
are  not  denied  by  such  of  its  friends  as  are  capable  of 
judging  in  the  case.  Criticism  is  therefore  precluded. 
Were  these  imperfections  confined  to  style  or  composition, 
the  matter  would  be  of  comparatively  small  importance  ; 
but  they  extend  to  the  expression  of  erroneous  sentiments, 
unwarrantable  omissions,  and  change  of  subject ;  to  de- 
rangement of  inspired  order,  rejection  of  scriptural  me- 
taphors, as  well  as  to  violations  of  the  canons  of  compo- 
sition. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  157 

Rouse.  The  equality  of  the  right  is  not  de- 
nied; but  the  assertion  is  calculated  to  deceive 
the  unthinking.  It  assumes  the  fact,  that  the 
production  of  Watts  is  a  version,  which  is  not 
true.  It  was  designed  as  a  substitute  for  every 
fair  translation ;  and  one  of  its  excellencies 
is  said  to  be  its  remoteness  from  the  original. 
That  called  Rouse's  paraphrase,  is  intended 
as,  and  really  is,  a  fair  version ;  though  not 
so  perfect  as  to  preclude  improvement.  Let 
it,  however,  be  kept  in  mind,  that  a  greater 
departure  from  the  thought  and  language  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  would  constitute  no  part  of 
this  improvement.  It  must  be  again  repeated, 
that  the  contest  is  not  between  version  and 
version;  but  between  translation  and  imitation; 
between  inspired  songs  and  those  of  human 
composure.  The  assertion  of  the  disputer  is 
this:  Dr.  Watts  had  as  good  a  right  to  imi- 
tate the  Book  of  Psalms,  as  Mr.  Rouse  had 
to  translate  it;  and  we  have  the  same  right  to 
employ,  in  the  worship  of  God,  the  imitation, 
that  others  have  to  use  the  translation.  The 
argument  is  of  the  same  species  as  this  :  The 
British  divines,  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  made 
a  version  of  the  Bible;  therefore,  Ethan  Allen 
had  as  good  a  right  to  make  his  Bible;  and 
those  who  choose  it,  have  as  good  a  right  to 
employ  it,  as  others  have  to  use  the  transla- 
tion, for  the  rule  of  their  faith  and  manners! 
The  value  of  the  argument,  thus  applied, 
every  Christian  can  appreciate. 
14 


158         OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

Upon  the  declaration,  so  frequently  made, 
that  Dr.  Watts  had  as  good  a  right  to  furnish 
us  with  a  book  of  psalms,  as  had  the  inspired 
prophet  David,  I  make  no  additional  remarks. 
The  causes  which  have  led  to  such  an  asser- 
tion must  be  deplored,  and  the  consequences 
must  be  feared.  The  existence  of  such  a  sen- 
timent among  professors  at  this  day,  is  suffi- 
cient to  justify  the  present  attempt  to  turn 
your  attention  to  the  subject.  Let  the  mem- 
bers of  every  church  be  told,  let  them  be 
made  to  understand,  that  no  production  of 
the  human  mind,  however  high  its  rank,  can 
compare  with  any  page  of  the  inspired  vo- 
lume. 

There  is  one  objection  which,  were  it  not 
so  frequently  adduced,  for  the  sake  of  the  ob- 
jectors I  would  willingly  conceal — It  is  sub- 
stantially expressed  by  Dr.  W. :  "  Some  Psalms 
are  so  full  of  closings,  that  they  hardly  become 
the  tongue  of  a  follower  of  the  blessed  Jesus  1 1!" 

The  objectors  certainly  forget,  that  these 
Psalms  were  given  by  the  inspiration  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Those  usually  specified  as  ob- 
jectionable, are  expressly  quoted  by  the  apos- 
tle Peter,  as  the  words  of  the  divine  Spirit.* 
May  not  then  a  follower  of  the  blessed  Sa- 
viour use  those  words,  which  the  Holy  Spirit 
of  that  Saviour  has  dictated  for  his  instruc- 
tion ? — Might  it  not  be  well  for  the  objectors 

*  Acts  i.  16.  20.  Ps.  lxix.  25.  &  cix.  8. 


OBJECTIONS   CONSIDERED.  159 

to  pause,  and  consider  whether  such  language 
as  they  employ,  approaches  not  towards  a 
blaspheming  of  that  Spirit,  who,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  his  Word,  sanctifies  the 
soul?  But  this  objection  proceeds  from  a 
false  view  of  the  Divine  character — God  is 
just  as  well  as  merciful;  and  he  instructs  his 
church  to  i  sing  both  of  mercy  and  judg- 
ment.'* f 

But  to  notice  every  cavil  would  be  endless, 
as  it  would  be  useless.  Collateral  subjects 
of  disputation  I  purposely  avoid,  that  the 
main  one  may,  as  much  as  possible,  be 
brought  unembarrassed,  and  fairly  before  my 
reader.  How  far  I  have  succeeded  in  a  lucid 
statement  of  my  subject,  shall  be  left  to  others 
to  decide.  I  can  only  say,  that  I  intended 
well.  But  whatever  may  be  thought  of  me 
or  my  work,  I  am  not  without  confidence, 
that  a  scriptural  psalmody  shall  ultimately 
prevail.  Public  opinion  is  fluctuating ;  and 
mere  party  spirit  will,  in  time,  yield  to  the 
dictates  of  divine  authority.  The  period  is 
coming  when  men  will  believe,  with  an  ele- 

*  Ps.  ci.  1. 

t  God  has  threatened  his  and  his  people's  implacable 
enemies  with  ruin.  This  overthrow  is  a  promise  to  his 
church  ;  and  every  time  she  prays,  Thy  will  be  done,  she 
really  employs  the  language  which  is  said  to  be  unfit  for  a 
follower  of  the  blessed  Jesus.  God's  Spirit  never  dictated, 
or  approved  of  private  personal  vengeance;  but  he  teaches 
to  pray  for  the  accomplishment  of  every  promise,  and  to 
approve  of  the  decisions  of  unwavering  justice. 


160  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

gant  writer  of  the  last  age,  that  "  when  mor- 
tals converse  with  their  Creator,  they  cannot 
do  it  in  so  proper  a  style  as  in  that  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures."*  The  ascendancy  of  the 
Bible,  at  this  day,  gives  ground  of  assurance, 
that  we  have  not  to  look  through  the  vista  of 
ages,  to  see  its  triumph  completed.  Its  triumph 
is  at  hand.  Yet  I  am  not  insensible  of  the 
points  from  which  opposition  to  a  reform  may 
be  expected.  Where  men  of  high  standing 
have  pledged  themselves,  the  usual  share  of 
integrity  that  falls  to  the  citizens  of  Zion,  is 
not  always  sufficient  to  induce  a  retraction  of 
incorrect  sentiment,  and  a  retracing  of  their 
devious  steps.  Those,  too,  who,  having  bro- 
ken their  pledge  to  a  plan  of  correct  order 
and  worship,  and  being  destitute  of  character 
or  principle,  are  set  afloat  on  the  tumultuous 
sea  of  conflicting  opinions,  without  compass 
or  helm,  and  having  an  eye  to  no  definite 
haven,  are  the  characters  from  whom  a  scrip- 
tural psalmody  has  most  to  fear. 

Still  I  am  not  without  hope,  that  among 
those  who  now  employ  an  imitation  of  sacred 
songs,  instead  of  the  inspired  odes  themselves, 
many,  rising  above  the  little  spirit  of  faction, 
and  asserting  an  independency  of  party  names, 
will  lift  the  voice  in  a  testimony  against  the 
reproach  attempted  to  be  cast  on  the  Book  of 
Psalms.     Such  will  bear  in  mind,   that  the 

*  Spectator,  Vol.  6.  No.  405. 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  161 

contest  is  not  for  Old  Testament,  in  prefer- 
ence to  New  Testament,  doctrine  and  lan- 
guage. They  will  recognize  the  impression 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  upon  the  language  and 
doctrine  of  both  the  Testaments ;  and  they 
will  prefer  that  which  God  hath  given,  to  any 
thing  that  man  would  substitute  in  its  place, 
A  moment's  thought  will  show  them,  that  the 
Book  of  Psalms  is  "  the  Bible  in  miniature;" 
precisely  what  an  evangelical  Psalm  Book 
should  be,  that  is,  a  compressed  exhibition  of 
Jehovah's  character,  grace,  and  providence ; 
of  man's  state,  experience,  and  prospects. 
The)'  will  not  be  amused  by  the  idle  rant,  of 
some  scripture  songs  being  incapable  of  per- 
sona] application  to  the  precise  case  of  the 
individual;  for  they  are  taught  by  that  Spirit, 
who  is  their  Sanctifier  and  Comforter,  that 
1  all  Scripture  is  profitable  for  instruction.' 
This  instruction  in  righteousness  they  can  de- 
rive from  inspired  delineations  of  the  perfec- 
tions, works,  and  grace  of  God ;  and  from 
similar  descriptions  of  the  experience  of  the 
elder  children  of  their  heavenly  Father,  who 
have  travelled  before  them  the  paths  of  sor- 
row, of  holy  joy,  and  of  life.  To  them, 
after  all  the  specious  declamation,  which  has 
no  bearing  on  it,  shall  have  been  heard,  the 
question  will  still  recur :  Whether  are  more 
excellent,  those  sacred  £  psalms,  and  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs,'  recommended  by  their 
inspiration,  and  by  the  experience  of  the  chil- 
14* 


162  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

dren  of  grace,  in  every  age ;  or  those  neces- 
sarily defective  effusions,  which  can  claim 
no  higher  origin  than  the  ingenuity  of  man  ? 
This  is,  indeed,  the  question.  May  I  not  hope 
that  it  will  receive  a  candid  consideration? 

Plain  as  it  is,  and  important  as  it  is  deemed 
to  be,  the  hope  of  an  immediate  and  univer- 
sal change,  is  not  authorized  by  the  charac- 
ter of  this  age.  The  activity  of  our  time  is, 
indeed,  imposing,  and  in  it  there  is  much  to 
praise;  but  the  most  conspicuous  portion  of 
it,  requires  little  of  that  self-denial  which  dis- 
tinguishes true  religion  ;  and,  alas!  that  cha- 
rity whose  pretensions  are  highest,  rejoices 
but  little  in  the  truth.  The  semblance  of 
love,  the  treacherous  salutation,  may  betray 
the  truth;  and  without  suspecting  it,  an  ill- 
directed  zeal,  about  something  pertaining  to 
religion,  may,  in  its  associations,  recommend 
the  most  fatal  error.  And  where  is  the  man 
whose  guards  are  so  skilfully  placed,  as  to  be 
out  of  danger  from  the  enemy  at  every  point  ? 
This  consideration  instructs  us,  not  in  a  fool- 
ish, self  gratulation,  but  in  an  humble  vigi- 
lance. 

While,  therefore,  we  should  guard  against 
the  impostures  of  that  empty  charity,  whose 
gifts  are  so  few  ;  and  not  be  deceived  by  that 
love  of  noisy  pretensions,  which  never  gives 
of  its  own;  we  should,  with  equal  care,  keep 
a  watchful  eye  on  that  orthodoxy,  and  that 
zeal,   which  are  separated  from  obedience  to 


OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED.  163 

God,  and  good-will  to  man.  There  may  be 
a  cold-blooded  orthodoxy  of  opinion,  that  has 
no  alliance  with  the  living  truth  of  Jesus;  and 
there  may  be  a  consuming  zeal  for  names  and 
forms,  that  sits  enthroned  in  an  unfeeling 
heart.  That  soundness  of  mind,  and  expan- 
sion of  affection,  which  are  the  offspring  of 
the  transforming  grace  of  God,  are  equidis- 
tant from  each  of  these  extremes.  With  this 
mind,  and  this  affection,  should  the  Christian 
enter  the  field  of  controversy.  By  these  will 
he  be  saved  from  that  tameness  that  disqua- 
lifies to  vindicate,  with  becoming  spirit,  the 
cause  of  righteousness;  and  from  that  cruelty 
which  betrays  a  callous  heart. 

That  this  safe  and  middle  way  has  been  un- 
deviatingly  pursued  in  these  pages,  the  writer 
will  not  venture  to  affirm.  Any  deviations 
from  it,  however,  which  he  may  discover,  will 
furnish  matter  of  sincere  regret;  for  his  cause 
authorizes  nothing  but  what  combines  all  that 
is  manly,  with  whatever  is  divine.  In  this 
discussion,  personal  animosity  can  have  no 
place:  to  the  unkind  emotions  of  our  imper- 
fect nature,  there  is  no  temptation.  What- 
ever of  frowning  aspect  may  have  appeared 
upon  his  page,  is  altogether  on  a  public 
ground  ;  and,  it  is  believed,  a  style  of  remark 
still  more  severe  than  any  employed,  would 
have  been  justified  by  the  sentiments  which 
have  passed  in  review.  But  asperity  of  re- 
mark,  however  well   merited,   can   only  be 


164  OBJECTIONS  CONSIDERED. 

pleasant  to  the  heartless  censor:  to  recognize 
the  worth  of  talent,  to  honour  distinguished 
virtue,  to  rejoice  in  the  testimonials  of  unaf- 
fected piety,  wherever  found,  are  employ- 
ments much  more  congenial  with  the  habitual 
temper  of  a  well-constructed  mind.  In  such 
exercises,  it  is  hoped,  we  shall  often  find  ad- 
vantage united  with  pleasure.  And  although 
we  must  now  contemplate  our  sky  still  dark- 
ened with  thick  clouds  of  lamentable  mis- 
takes; yet  the  morning  of  a  brighter  day  to 
the  church  of  God,  than  she  has  long  enjoyed, 
we  hope  is  about  to  dawn.  May  the  rising 
glories  of  that  long-wished-for  day,  speedily 
bless  our  world:  then  the  promise  shall  be 
fully  realized — Thy  watchmen  shall  lift  up  the 
voice;  ivith  the  voice  together  shall  they  sing: 
for  they  shall  see  eye  to  eye,  when  the  Lord 
shall  bring  again  Zion. — With  affectionate 
regard,  dear  Brethren, 

1  bid  you  farewell. 

GILBERT  M'MASTER. 


October,  1818. 


APPENDIX. 


No.   I. 


ANIMADVERSIONS  ON  DR.  ELY'S  REVIEW, 
Vol.  II.  No.  4. 

IT  was  the  intention  of  the  Author  of  the 
•  Apology  for  the  Booh  of  Psalms  f  to  have  left 
it  to  make  its  way  through  the  world,  without  any 
additional  aid  from  him  against  its  enemies ;  and 
from  that  purpose  he  departs  with  some  reluctance. 
So  far  was  he  from  contemplating  any  further  reply 
to  objections,  that  had  it  been  decorous,  he  would 
have  appended  Dr.  Ely's  Review  to  the  second 
edition  of  the  '  Apology.'  The  cause  of  the  '  Apo- 
logy' would  not  have  suffered  by  such  an  appendix. 
Upon  this  subject  nothing  is  more  desirable  than 
candid  inquiry;  and  it  is  sincerely  wished  that  the 
strength  of  each  side  was  really  known. 

Dr.  E.  has  honoured  the  '  Apology'  with  a  notice 
sufficiently  large ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  has  made 
some  concessions  of  great  importance  to  the  cause 
of  truth.  From  an  inconsiderable  man,  such  con- 
cessions would  indeed  pass  for  little;  but  such  is 
not  the  Doctor.  His  attainments  are  much  beyond 
what  are  generally  found  in  the  clergy  of  our  day ; 
his  zeal  is  laudably  ardent,  and  his  liberality  much 
too  extensive  for  a  consistent  partisan.  There  is 
a  tone  of  sentiment,  with  a  correctness  of  system 
and  phraseology  in  general,  pervading  the  Doctor's 
productions,  rarely  found,  and  found  only  among 
the  unfashionable  disciples  of  the  Geneva  and  West- 
minster school.    He  often  discovers,  too,  a  fearless- 


166  APPENDIX. 

ness  in  attacking  error,  worthy  of  the  ancient  days 
of  what  we  prudent  moderns  would  call  "  honest 
indiscretion."  For  such  a  man  the  author  must 
feel  respect ;  and  toward  him  willingly  cherishes 
the  kind  affections.  The  Doctor  has  indeed  be- 
come the  advocate  of  a  bad  cause ;  and  so  far  as 
he  has  identified  himself  with  that  cause,  he  is  justly 
exposed  to  the  animadversions  due  to  it.  But  so 
far  as  the  claims  of  truth  will  permit,  we  are  dis- 
posed to  extend  indulgence  both  to  the  advocate 
and  his  cause. 

Dr.  E.,  on  the  subject  of  psalmody,  has  made 
some  very  important  concessions — concessions 
which  none  upon  that  side  of  the  question  had  been 
candid  enough  to  make  before  him.  And  if  we 
find  in  his  pages  any  thing  that  may  be  justly  con- 
strued into  a  contradiction,  or  retraction  of  what 
had  been  conceded,  it  will  only  prove,  what  is  not 
infrequent,  that  a  writer  has  not  always  his  whole 
subject  before  him.  From  the  Doctor  we  duly  ap- 
preciate the  following  concessions  : — 

1.  "  That  a  literal  translation  of  all  the  Psalms  may  be 
made,  which  might  be  sung  in  every  Christian  church ; 
and  that  it  would  be  undesirable,  and  inexpedient,  (why 
not  unlawful  ?)  to  banish  the  Book  of  inspired  Psalms  from 
our  system  of  psalmody.  Never  would  we,  (says  the  Doc- 
tor,) willingly  see  the  Psalms  of  David  supplanted." — 
P.  370. 

2.  "  It  would  delight  us  to  obtain  a  sort  of  blank  verse 
translation  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  in  which  there  should 
be  found  the  spirit  of  the  inspired  penmen." — P.  370. 

3.  "  Dr.  Watts  and  others  have  written  many  unguard- 
ed sentences  concerning  David  and  some  of  the  Psalms, 
of  which  we  disapprove  as  sincerely  as  Mr.  M'M.  can  do." 
—P.  371. 

4.  "  It  should  never  be  said,  even  figuratively,  that  there 
is  occasion  for  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Watts  to  convert  David 
into  a  Christian." — P.  371. 


>o.  i.  167 

'■>.  -•  Psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  are  to  be  found 
in  the  Book  of  Psalms."— P.  389. 

6.  "  The  superior  excellence  of  inspired  psalms,  hymns, 
and  spiritual  songs"  over  any  human  compositions,  is 
likewise  admitted. — P.  391. 

7.  Jt  is  conceded^  that  while  the  New  England  churches 
used  Rouse's  version  of  the  Psalms,  they  were  sound  in 
doctrine  ;  that  in  process  of  time,  among  som<3.  Watts  was 
not  heretical  enough,  and  was  superseded  ;  and  that  it  i- 
a  fact,  not  admitting  of  doubt,  that  where  Watts'  compo- 
sitions were  first,  and  have  been  longest  used,  in  the  psal- 
mody of  the  church,  Socinianism  has  made  the  most  ex- 
tensive progress.* — Pp.  393-4. 

8.  **  That  some  of  the  writings  of  Dr.  Watts  were  hos- 
tile to  the  real  deity  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  Tri- 
nity, is  incontestible" — P.  394. 

9.  That  Rouse's  version  "  cannot  be  charged  with  any 
uiiscriptural  doctrine/' — P.  403. 

10.  That  Watts'  Imitation  and  hymns,  are  in  some  in- 
stances unscriptura). — P.  403. 

These  concessions  at  once  sweep  away  many  ?i 
topic  of  animated  declamation,  against  the  perfec- 
tion of  the  Book  of  Psalms.  They  will  produce 
their  proper  effect ;  for  when  from  the  lips  and  pen 
of  Dr.  Ely,  it  shall  be  understood,  that  a  literal  and 
sound  version  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  has  been  sup- 
planted by  an  erroneous  book  of  hymns,  composed 
by  a  man  hostile  to  the  doctrine  of  the  real  deity 
of  Christ,  and  of  the  Trinity,- — the  plain  Christian, 
who  has  no  object  of  ecclesiastical  ambition  to 
serve,  save  that  of  honouring  his  Maker  in  the  ob- 
servance of  his  institutions,  will  not  long  hesitate 
where  to  seek  his  religious  songs.  His  preference 
will  speak  with  a  voice  which  must  be  heard  in  the 
highest  courts  of  the  church ;  while,  in  accordance 

*  Dr.  E.  admits  the  facts  above  stated: — with  what  success  he  at- 
tempts to  set  aside  the  inference,  will  be  inquired  into  in  its  proper 

place. 


168  APPENDIX. 

with  that  voice,  the  theologian  of  extended  views, 
of  consistent  and  independent  mind,  from  a  con- 
sideration of  the  whole  ground,  the  origin,  progress 
and  effects  of  these  innovations,  will  exclaim — 

Aliquis  latet  error 

Quicquid  id  est,  timeo  Danaos,  et  dona  ferentes. 

But  a  more  particular  glance  at  this  part  of  the 
Review  may  not  be  improper.  Dr.  E.  seems  much 
surprised  at  the  title  of  these  Letters — i  An  Apology 
for  the  Book  of  Psalms;'  and  in  an  exclamatory 
inquiry,  asks,  "  Who  can  need  an  apology  for  that 
divinely  inspired  book?"  It  is  replied:  All  those 
need  an  apology  for  that  inspired  book,  who  read 
and  believe  the  prefaces  of  Dr.  Watts,  and  the  pro- 
ductions of  Dr.  Latta,  Messrs.  Freeman,  Baird,  &c. 
Let  not  Dr.  E.  be  surprised;  he  is  himself  sum- 
moned as  a  witness  for  this  necessity,  and  he  tes- 
tifies, "  That  Dr.  Watts,  and  others,  have  written 
many  unguarded  sentences  concerning  David  and 
some  of  the  Psalms."  As  those  have  written,  so 
others  have  read,  believed,  and  spoken  many  un- 
guarded sentences  against  David  and  the  Psalms. 
Now,  as  neither  Dr.  E.  nor  any  of  his  brethren 
had  vindicated  David  and  the  Psalms  against  these 
many  unguarded  sentences,  of  which  he  says  he 
sincerely  disapproves,  why  be  surprised  that  I 
should  attempt  their  defence?  why  be  offended  that 
I  gave  my  publication  the  appellation  of  a  defence  ? 

The  Doctor  protests  repeatedly  against  any  in- 
sinuation, leading  to  the  belief,  that  those  who  pre- 
fer the  hymns  of  Dr.  W.,  or  of  any  other,  are 
chargeable  with  adding  to  or  taking  from  the  word 
of  God.  He  attempts  to  sustain  his  protest  by  al- 
leging, they  do  not  "  pretend  that  their  stanzas  are 
divinely  inspired,  and  ought  to  be  received  as  a 


no.  i.  169 

part  of  the  divine  oracles" — Nor  do  they  attempt 
to  cast  the  Book  of  Psalms,  or  any  part  of  it,  out 
of  the  sacred  volume. — P.  369.  Now,  it  seems 
something  less  than  an  attempt  to  introduce  Watts' 
hymns  into  the  Bible,  or  an  actual  casting  of  the 
Book  of  Psalms  out  of  the  sacred  volume,  would 
justify  the  insinuation  protested  against,  and  ex- 
pose to  the  danger  of  the  plagues  written  against 
those  who  should  add  to  or  take  away  from  the 
word  of  God.  So  far  as  there  is  a  corruption  of 
any  ordinance  of  God,  by  human  inventions,  or  a 
setting  aside  of  any  portion  of  the  divine  word  from 
its  peculiar  use, — so  far  there  is  really  an  addition, 
and  diminution,  prohibited  in  the  word  of  God. — 
Dr.  E.'s  protest  cannot  change  the  nature  of  things : 
nor  will  his  fearless  confidence  excuse  him,  in  offer- 
ing to  his  Maker  the  torn  and  the  lame, — mangled 
fragments  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  and  the  feeble 
productions  of  human  wit,  mingled  with  the  turpi- 
tude of  moral  corruption. 

The  Doctor,  in  his  remarks  upon  the  first  Letter 
of  the  i  Apology/  lays  the  author  under  lasting  ob- 
ligations to  him,  for  his  well-meant  instructions  on 
the  import  of  the  word  offence,  as  used  in  Scripture. 
He  tells  us,  that  it  means  "  a  stumbling  block, 
something  which  occasions  one  to  commit  sin." 
The  import  of  the  term,  however,  was  previously 
known,  and  the  Scripture,  1  Cor.  viii.  9-  12.  was 
quoted  with  a  view  to  that  acceptation  of  the  phrase, 
stumbling  block.  As  it  appears  I  have  not  been 
understood,  I  must  now  be  more  explicit. 

I  had  long  witnessed  the  effect  of  Watts'  Psalms, 

and  the  reasons  by  which  the  use  of  them  was 

urged,  upon  the  minds  and  language  of  professors. 

They  uniformly  uttered  many  unguarded  sentences 

15 


170  APPENDIX. 

against  David  and  the  Psalms.  Some  of  the  Psalms 
were  said  to  be  "  so  full  of cursings ,  that  they  hard- 
ly became  the  tongue  of  a  follower  of  the  blessed 
Jesus/' — the  use  of  them  calculated  "  to  make  here- 
sy triumphant/'  &c. ; — with  much  more  to  the  same 
effect.  That  liberty  which  uniformly  produces  such 
effects,  I  still  think  should  be  cautiously  used,  if 
used  at  all.  That  such  are  the  effects  of  it,  is  indis- 
putable. Matter  of  fact  proves,  that  the  substitution 
of  hymns  of  human  composition,  in  place  of  those 
given  by  inspiration,  has  been  indeed  a  stumbling 
block,  over  which  many  have  fallen  into  blas- 
phemy. 

To  the  proffered  indulgence  of  Dr.  E.  in  pp. 
372-4,  the  smaller  Presbyterian  denominations 
undoubtedly  owe  much,  considering  the  compara- 
tive weight  of  numbers  in  the  General  Assembly, 
which,  in  the  Doctor's  logic,  seems  to  carry  no 
small  share  of  demonstrative  force.  Very  liberally* 
and  in  courtly  style,  he  says,  "  Come  and  unite 
with  us  in  every  thing  else;  and  you  may  sing 
Rouse  for  ayeP  Indeed  !  how#  very  kind !  Per- 
mit us  to  subscribe  a  self-contradictory  Constitu- 
tion ;  allow  us  to  unite  with  them — with  whom  ? — 
in  what?  With  Dr.  E.,  or  his  semi-socinian  breth- 
ren ?  Unite  in  maintaining  orthodoxy,  or  hetero- 
doxy ?  No  matter  which ;  only  unite,  and  sing  what 
you  please,  and  preach  what  you  please,  and  be- 
lieve what  you  please.  No  doubt,  however,  of  the 
Doctor's  kind  intention.  Such  union,  on  our  part, 
would  prove  us  free  from  those  very  inconvenient 
bonds,  viz.  "  Covenants,  Testimonies,  and  the  pride 
of  consistency,"  from  which  he,  in  his  great  benevo- 
lence, so  earnestly  wishes  us  emancipated,  (p.  405,) 
and  in  his  own  freedom,  from  which  he  speaks  with 


no.  i.  171 

so  much  complacency.    Thank  you.  Doctor;  when 
tired  of  "  consistency/'  we  know  where  to  go. 

In  his  strictures  upon  the  second  Letter  of  the 
1  Apology,'  Dr.  E.  remarks:  "  In  his  appeal  to  the 
Fathers,  Dr.  Latta  certainly  has  the  advantage  of 
all  his  opponents." — P.  377-  When  Dr.  E.  pro- 
nounced this  sentence,  had  he  consulted  these  Fa- 
thers upon  the  subject?  If  he  had,  did  he  wait  to 
inquire  why  the  appeal  was  made  to  the  Fathers 
by  Dr.  L.  and  his  opponents?  This,  certainly,  the 
reviewer  neglected  to  do.  In  this  he  must  be  set 
right.  Dr.  Latta  had  appealed  to  the  Fathers  in 
proof  of  his  positions,  that  the  Psalms  of  David 
were  not  used  in  the  psalmody  of  the  church  at  all, 
during  the  three  first  centuries  ;  and  that,  in  the  fourth 
century,  they  were  first  introduced  under  Arian  influ- 
ence. We  appeal  to  the  same  authority,  not  to  prove, 
as  Dr.  E.  intimates,  that  nothing  else  beside  scripture 
songs  were  sung — for  this  is  not  the  matter  in  dis- 
pute— but  that  Dr.  L.  is  incorrect,  in  attempting  to 
maintain,  that  hymns  of  human  composition  were 
exclusively  used  in  the  three  first  centuries;  and 
that  Scripture  Psalms  were  not  in  use  before  the 
fourth  century,  and  then  by  Arians  only.  This  is 
the  matter  at  issue;  and  Dr.  E.  says  that  Dr.  L. 
certainly  has  the  advantage  of  all  his  opponents ! 
No  man  who  understands  the  subject,  and  retains 
the  image  of  candour,  could  give  the  sanction  of 
his  name  to  the  positions  of  Dr.  L.  In  this  in- 
stance, from  the  hasty  decision  of  a  too  busy  re- 
viewer, I  appeal  to  men  who  think  before  they 
speak,  and  understand  before  they  judge. 

In  the  same  page,  Dr.  E.  states,  that  u  several 
passages  adduced  by  Dr.  Latta  from  the  Fathers, 
testify,  that  the  early  Christians  sun£,  not  the  Psalms 
sung  by  the  Hebrews,  in  the  temple  and  synagogue, 


172  APPENDIX. 

but  hymns  of  praise  directly  addressed  to  Christ 
by  name." 

The  reply  to  this  statement  is  brief:  the  whole 
is  untrue.  No  such  passages  are  adduced  by  Dr.  L. 
from  the  Fathers ;  no  such  testimony  is  given  by 
the  Fathers  whom  Dr.  L.  consulted.  And  for  the 
truth  of  this  assertion  I  appeal  with  confidence  to 
the  candour  and  integrity  of  Dr.  E.  himself,  when 
he  shall  have  examined  the  subject. 

But  is  it  not  certain,  from  Pliny's  letter  to  Tra- 
jan, that  hymns  of  human  composition  were  ex- 
clusively used  in  the  psalmody  of  the  primitive 
Christians  ?  So  it  has  been  contended  5  but  it  will 
be  remembered,  that  Pliny  was  not  one  of  the 
Christian  Fathers.  His  testimony  was,  that  the 
Christians  of  his  day  "  sung  a  song  to  Christ  as  to  a 
god." — It  is  alleged  in  the  '  Apology,'  (p.  28,#)  that 
if  they  sung,  among  many  others,  the  45th  and  102d 
Psalms,  they  would  have  sung  a  song  to  Christ  as 
to  God.  Dr.  E.  admits  this  to  be  true,  and  allqws 
that  Paul  knew  this ;  and  we  know  it.  But,  says 
the  Doctor,  very  profoundly  to  be  sure,  "  it  is  an 
inference  quite  too  far  fetched  for  Pliny." — P.  377. 
Granted.  It  is  not  be  doubted  that  Pliny  was  as 
ill  acquainted  with  the  Book  of  Psalms,  and  as  lit- 
tle qualified  to  find  in  it  the  Saviour,  as  those  Chris- 
tian doctors  who  so  senselessly  repeat,  that  "  none 
of  the  Psalms  of  the  Old  Testament  expressly  men* 
tion  the  name  of  Christ."  But  Pliny  is  not  found 
drawing  inferences  from  the  Book  of  Psalms.  He 
reports  the  information  he  had  obtained  from  for- 
mer professors  of  Christianity,  who,  though  free 
from  "  the  pride  of  consistency,"  might  neverthe- 
less be  correct  in  this  statement  at  his  bar.     To 

*  Sec  p.  34,  of  the  present  edition. 


m.  i.  173 

suppose  the  Christians  of  that  day  uninstructed  in 
the  Old  Testament  delineations  of  Messiah,  would 
be  to  suppose,  that  those  who  forsook  all  to  follow 
him,  were  as  careless  about  his  character,  and  as 
ignorant  of  his  Deity,  as  many  of  the  thoughtless 
professors  of  our  times.     Such  was  not  the  case. 

We  must  not  pass  unnoticed  the  canon  of  Scrip- 
ture interpretation,  adopted  by  Dr.  E. :  "  What  the 
Bible  does  not  forbid,  it  permits.  This  is  a  pecu- 
liar attribute  of  divine  law." — P.  378.  Upon  this 
ground  alone  can  the  advocates  of  a  human  psal- 
mody stand.  It  is  believed  Dr.  E.  is  the  first  of 
those  advocates  who  has  ventured  to  avow  it.  Try 
it  then,  and  see  if  the  Doctor  has  courage  to  follow 
it  out.  Try  it  upon  purgatory.  That  there  is  a 
heaven  of  eternal  felicity,  and  a  hell  of  endless  wo, 
is  not  denied;  the  Bible  teaches  so;  but  where  does 
it  say,  there  is  not  a  third  place  ? — What  of  prayer 
for  the  dead  ?  Ci  What  the  Bible  does  not  forbid,  it 
permits :"  where  does  it  forbid  this  ? — "  What  the 
Bible  does  not  forbid,  it  permits ;"  but  the  Bible 
forbids  not  the  midwife  to  baptize  the  new-born  in- 
fant; therefore  she  may  do  it. — So  may  Dr.  E. 
reason  to  prove  the  mingling  of  the  baptismal  water 
with  salt  and  spittle,  to  be  proper;  the  use  of  the 
cross  in  baptism ;  bowing  at  the  communion ;  vows 
of  celibacy;  the  endless  train  of  fasts  and  feasts; 
in  a  word,  all  the  trumpery  of  Rome.  Does  not 
the  Doctor  know,  that  this  canon  of  his  is  the  great 
bulwark  of  Romish  imposition?  Take  it  away, 
and  the  whole  system  of  her  superstition  falls  to  the 
ground.  Is  he  unacquainted  with  the  fact,  that 
under  this  canon  of  his,  the  Fathers  of  -Sew  Eng- 
land  suffered  so  grievously  at  Britain's  hand  ?  1( 
this  canon  be  indeed  legitimate,  then,  to  separate 
15* 


174 


APPENDIX. 


from  the  church  of  Rome  on  account  of  her  rites, 
is  sheer  schism. 

Acknowledging  this  canon  as  "  a  peculiar  attri- 
bute of  divine  law,"  it  would  be  amusing  to  find 
Dr.  E.  in  the  hands  of  such  a  man  as  Cardinal 
Bellarmine,  disputing  about  the  number  of  the 
sacraments,  and  twenty  other  things  equally  un- 
founded. And,  perhaps,  were  he  to  take  this  ground 
with  some  of  the  witty  sons  of  St.  Patrick,  in  his 
own  city,  and  undertake  to  disprove  their  doctrine 
of  auricular  confession,  penance,  extreme  unction, 
&c.  it  might  drive  him  to  another  canon,  which 
would  more  uniformly  conduct  him  in  the  way  of 
safety.  Has  the  Doctor  forgotten,  that  he  solemnly 
vowed  to  the  following  declarations : — "  The  word 
of  God  is  the  only  rule  to  direct  us  how  we  may 
glorify  him — The  second  commandment  forbiddeth 
the  worshipping  of  God  in  any  way  not  appointed 
in  his  word — The  acceptable  way  of  worshipping 
the  true  God  is  instituted  by  himself,  and  so  limited 
by  his  revealed  will,  that  he  may  not  be  wor- 
shipped according. to  the  imaginations  and  devices 
of  men."  But,  "  what  the  Bible  does  not  forbid,  it 
permits.  This  is  a  peculiar  attribute  of  divine  law," 
says  Dr.  E.  "  What  thing  soever  I  command  you, 
observe  to  do  it :  thou  shalt  not  add  thereto,  nor 
diminish  from  it,"  says  God.#  Which  we  ought 
to  believe  and  obey,  judge  ye.  After  all,  it  is  not 
improbable  that  Dr.  E.  takes  both  sides :  his  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  and  Bible,  when  disputing  with  a 
Roman  Catholic;  and  his  Popish  canon,  when  in 
argument  with  Reformed  Presbyterians  and  Se- 
ceders.     The  Doctor  has  intimated  to  us  his  free- 


*  Dent.  xii.  32.    See  also  Isa.  xxix.  13.  k  Marl.  x\.  fc 


no.  i.  175 

dom  from  u  the  pride  of  consistency ;"  and  in  his 
adoption  of  this  canon,  we  have  additional  proof  of 
his  power  in  making  contrasts. 

On  this  subject  I  adopt  the  old  Protestant,  which 
is  the  Bible,  ground ;  and  reject  as  irrational,  anti- 
scriptural,  and  antichristian,  both  Dr.  E.'s  canon 
of  interpretation,  and  his  frequent  demand  of  proof 
for  negative  articles.  The  positive  side  is  sufficient 
for  me ;  and  it  necessarily  involves  the  negative. 
What  God  authorizes  in  his  worship,  we  are  bound 
to  do;  what  he  does  not  require,  we  must  reject, 
and  for  this  very  reason,  that  it  is  not  required. 
Thou  shalt  not  add  thereto.  It  is  hoped  Dr.  E. 
will  not  again  trifle  thus.  I  now  proceed  to  his 
critique  on  Letter  III. 

The  Doctor's  observations  upon  this  Letter  are 
of  little  interest.  He  gives  us  an  extract  from 
a  Stewart's  Collections"  in  which  the  term  para- 
phrase is  applied  to  the  version  of  the  Book  of 
Psalms  still  used  in  the  Church  of  Scotland.  He 
is  welcome  to  all  he  can  glean  from  this  ;  and  we 
shall  listen  to  his  display  of  skill  in  language,  while 
he  assures  us,  that  a  paraphrase  is  not  a  transla- 
tion !  That  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of 
Scotland,  or  their  Commission,  170  years  ago,  chose 
the  word  paraphrase,  in  then  adopting  act,  proves 
but  little.  The  title  of  the  metrical  version,  as 
fixed  by  them,  shows  they  considered  it  to  be  a 
translation ,  Dr.  E's  assertion  to  the  contrary  not- 
withstanding. And  probably  at  that  time  it  was 
not  known  that  the  words  paraphrase,  and  trans- 
lation, were  so  different  in  meaning  as  modern  lin- 
guists prove  them  to  be.  Drowning  men  will  catch 
at  straws. 

One  remark  more.     In  Dr.  E.'s  quotation,  (p. 


176  APPENDIX. 

381,)  he  misrepresents  both  Mr.  Freeman's  senti- 
ments, and  matter  of  fact.  To  one  unacquainted 
with  the  subject,  it  would  appear  from  that  quo- 
tation, that  the  same  Assembly  of  the  Church  of 
Scotland,  which  adopted  the  version  of  the  Psalms, 
"  also  published  and  recommended  a  number  of 
poems  from  Watts."  Watts  was  not  born  for  many 
years  after  the  adoption  of  that  version  of  the 
Psalms.  It  is  hoped  this  was  an  oversight,  and 
not  a  trick,  of  our  good  brother. 

The  Doctor,  in  the  course  of  his  remarks,  seems 
much  perplexed,  because,  instead  of  the  Book  of 
Psalms,  or  scripture  songs,  I  had  not  proposed  the 
defence  of  Rouse's  version,  or  employed  myself  in 
the  proof  of  something  that  needs  no  proof.  A 
contest  about  any  particular  version  of  scripture 
songs,  had  been  explicitly  and  repeatedly  dis- 
claimed ;  nor  had  any  opposition  been  shown  to 
the  introduction  of  any  inspired  song,  into  the 
psalmody  of  the  church.  No  one  species  of  trans- 
lation was  plead  for,  to  the  exclusion  of  others. 
All  contended  for,  was,  that  a  full  and  fair  version 
of  the  Book  of  Psalms  should  be  found  in  the  psal- 
mody of  the  church,  to  the  exclusion  of  hymns  of 
human  invention.  Yet  Dr.  E.,  whether  I  will  or 
not,  will  have  the  '  Apology '  to  be  no  more  than  a 
defence  of  Rouse's  poetry !  Were  it  so,  he  should 
have  found  his  task  more  easy  than  it  has  proved 
to  be.  The  Doctor  knows  it  is  much  more  easy 
to  declaim  about  rough  poetry,  than  to  prove  a  hu- 
man invention  to  be  a  divine  institution. 

I  am  perfectly  agreed  that  the  Doctor's  remarks 
on  my  first  argument,  should  remain  in  all  their 
force.  When  the  reader  shall  have  compared  his 
admissions  and  retractions,  his  quotations,  contra- 


no.  i.  177 

dictions,  and  demands  of  proof  for  negatives,  from 
p.  381  to  390,  he  will  probably  be  satisfied,  with- 
out spending  longer  time  in  attempting  to  ascertain 
what  the  Doctor  means.  He  appears,  indeed,  to 
hold,  that  Jehovah  did  not  authorize  the  Book  of 
Psalms  to  be  sung  in  the  church,  in  any  age  ! — that 
these  Psalms,  in  Hebrew,  are  suited  to  the  purpose 
of  public  singing — that  God  has  given  no  English 
version,  either  to  read  or  sing — that  we  need  a 
book  of  prayers  just  as  much  as  a  Book  of  Psalms, 
and  that  God  gave  the  one  no  more  than  the  other ! 
How  much  we  are  indebted  to  the  Doctor  for  all 
this  information,  may  not  be  easily  told.  Thought- 
less assertion,  and  mere  talk,  require  not  to  be  fol- 
lowed.    My  argument  remains  untouched. 

My  second  argument  is  substantially  admitted — 
u  The  adaptation  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  to  the 
purpose  of  sacred  praise  "  The  Doctor  talks  in- 
deed of  suitable  explanation,  as  necessary  to  this 
adaptation.  I  really  do  not  understand  him  here. 
If  he  mean  that  we  should  understand  the  Psalms, 
he  is  correct ;  but  our  ignorance  of  their  import, 
however  it  may  unfit  us  for  a  profitable  use  of  them, 
by  no  means  unfits  them  for  the  purpose  of  psal- 
mody. To  obtain  this  understanding  of  these  sa- 
cred odes,  6  let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you 
richly,'  that  they  may  be  read  with  profit,  and  sung 
with  knowledge.  Ignorance  in  reading  them,  is 
no  more  allowable  than  in  singing  them. 

The  Doctor's  admission  of  the  third  argument  of 
the  '  Apology,'  ought  to  settle  the  dispute  :  u  The 
superior  excellence  of  Inspired  songs  over  any  hu- 
man compositions"  is  conceded.  Why  then  not 
use  them  in  preference  to  such  human  composi- 
tions ?     Cursed  be  the  deceiver  icho  hath  in  his 


178  APPENDIX. 

flock  a  male ,  and  voweth,  and  sacrificed  unto  the 
Lord  a  corrupt  thing.  To  no  individual  do  1 
apply  this  malediction :  it>  however,  demands  of  us 
circumspection,  that  to  it  we  expose  not  ourselves. 
From  the  consequences  of  this  concession,  Dr.  E. 
seems  desirous  of  turning  aside ;  and  therefore  in- 
troduces some,  no  doubt  very  pertinent,  remarks, 
respecting  other  inspired  poetry  beside  the  Book 
of  Psalms ;  the  difficulty  of  rendering  Hebrew  poe- 
try into  English  poetry;  and  informs  us,  that  our 
translations  are  not  the  work  of  inspiration  !  Sage 
discoveries, — very  necessary  to  ]>e  communicated 
to  Seceders  and  Reformed  Presbyterians ! 

Upon  my  fourth  argument  the  Doctor  says,  he 
and  his  brethren  "  have  satisfactory  evidence  of 
the  propriety  of  using  human  psalmody  in  the 
church."  This  I  am  not  disposed  to  doubt ;  but 
it  proves  nothing  against  my  argument.  They 
may  find  it  convenient  to  be  satisfied  with  very 
little  evidence.  And  with  the  Doctor's  antichris- 
tian  law  of  exposition,  which  he  here  applies  again, 
with  what  superstitious  rites,  with  what  impositions 
upon  the  church,  might  he  not  be  satisfied !  His 
appeal  to  the  songs  of  angels,  and  even  to  saints 
under  extraordinary  circumstances,  and  a  special 
afflatus  of  the  inspiring  Spirit,  is  without  weight 
against  my  argument.  Nor  will  the  Doctor's  cou- 
rage prove  much  for  his  cause. 

Nothing  has  been  adduced  to  invalidate  my  fifth 
and  sixth  arguments.  The  Doctor's  remarks  ra- 
ther establish  mine,  with  the  exception  of  his  at- 
tempt to  soften  the  view  taken  of  the  probable  in- 
fluence of  Watts'  compositions,  in  fostering  heresy 
in  New  England.  Dr.  E.  supposes  the  progress  of 
heresy  there  might  as  well  be  ascribed  to  the  "  spi- 


no.  i.  179 

rit  of  civil  liberty,"  or  to  "  a  college,"  as  to  the  pro- 
ductions of  Dr.  Watts.  To  this  it  will  be  time 
enough  to  reply,  when  Dr.  E.  shall  have  persuaded 
any  intelligent  man.  that  national  independence, 
and  a  college,  are  as  likely  to  promote  error,  as  a 
confessedly  erroneous  Psalm  Book,  composed  by 
one  confessedly  hostile  to  the  "  real  deity  of  Christ, 
and  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity." 

The  Doctor  sees  fit  to  pass  over  the  fifth  Letter 
of  the  *  Apology/  unnoticed.  Had  he  attended  to 
this,  it  might  have  saved  him  the  trouble  of  writing- 
some  pages :  but  he  was  anxious  to  vindicate  the 
reputation  of  Dr.  Watts,  Dr.  Latta,  and  Mr.  Free- 
man. In  his  course  I  follow  him ;  and  should  be 
glad  indeed  to  find  that  I  had  mistaken  the  import 
of  their  writings.  His  statement  bears,  that  I  have 
misrepresented  them — that  their  opinions  are  not 
such  as  are  stated  in  the  '  Apology.5 

I  have  again  examined  the  subject,  and  if  Dr.  E. 
did  so,  cannot  help  suspecting  a  warfare  between 
his  head  and  his  heart,  while  he  penned  this  part 
of  his  Review.  Dr.  E.  has  admitted,  in  a  former 
page,  that  Dr.  Watts  and  others  have  written  many 
unguarded  sentences  concerning  David  and  some 
of  the  Psalms.  This  is  the  general  concession; 
but  the  Doctor  gives  no  specifications  of  those 
"  many  unguarded  sentences."  I  have  stated  some 
of  them.  Dr.  E.  takes  up  the  defence  of  Dr.  W. 
and  others, — and  what  is  the  result  ?  Why,  that  the 
'  Apology'  has  misrepresented  these  writers.  Now, 
Dr.  E.,  whither  hath  thy  candour  fled?  Accord- 
ing to  the  Doctor's  pleading,  all  that  Watts  faulted, 
was  the  translation;  such  as  dividing,  in  some 
words,  the  ultimate  syllable  tion,  into  two,  for  sake 
of  measure.     u  It  is/'  says  Dr.  E.,  w  some  such 


180 


APPENDIX. 


mode  as  this  of  singing,  that  Watts  asserted  c  doth 
not  only  flat  our  devotion,  but  too  often  awaken 
our  regret,  and  touches  all  the  springs  of  uneasi- 
ness within  us.'  He  never  said  that  the  wrords  of 
inspiration,  or  the  original  songs  of  Zion,  did  this/' 
— P.  396.  My  dear  Doctor,  is  this  just  so  as  you 
say?  Then,  indeed,  I  have  wronged  Dr.  W.; 
and,  what  is  more  unpardonable,  so  have  you ! 
You  have  affirmed,  that  "  Dr.  W.  and  others  have 
written  many  unguarded  sentences  concerning  the 
Psalms,  of  which  you  sincerely  disapprove." — P. 
371.  Yet  really  we  can  see  nothing  unguarded, 
concerning  either  David  or  the  Psalrns,  in  objecting 
to  such  a  syllabic  division,  as  a  violation  of  the 
laws  of  English  prosody.  Surely  the  Doctor  does 
not  disapprove  sincerely  of  criticising  what  has 
proved  so  disgusting  to  himself.  It  seems,  how- 
ever, that  Dr.  E.  is  content  to  rank  himself  among 
the  slanderers  of  the  poetic  Watts,  rather  than  ad- 
mit he  meant  any  more  than  a  little  criticism  on 
the  bad  prosody  of  some  versifiers  of  the  Psalms ! 
How  enviable  the  place  of  a  Quarterly  Theological 
Reviewer !  He  can  contradict  truths,  and  war 
against  himself,  and  still  be  an  honourable  man ! 
This  conduct  of  Brother  E.  looks  something  like 
disinterested  benevolence, — a  willingness  to  suffer 
for  the  good  of  the  whole. 

Now  for  the  truth  of  the  matter :  Why  did  Dr. 
W.  fault  the  versions  then  in  use  ?  Was  it  because 
they  misrepresented  the  original  songs  of  Scrip- 
ture ?  Was  it  because  they  were  unfaithful  versions  ? 
or  because  some  of  their  lines  did  not  exactly  cor- 
respond with  poetic  feet?  No,  no;  Dr.  E.  knows 
these  were  not  the  faults  ascribed  to  them  by  Dr.  W. 
W^  shall  hear  these  reasons  as  stated  by  Dr.  W. 


NO.  I.  181 

himself.  It  is  "  the  matter — almost  opposite  to  the 
spirit  of  the  gospel — something  so  extremely  Jewish 
and  cloudy,  that  it  darkens  our  sight  of  God  the 
Saviour — By  keeping  too  close  to  David,  in  the 
house  of  God,  the  vail  of  Moses  is  thrown  over  our 
hearts — some  dreadful  curse  against  men  is  pro- 
posed to  our  lips,  as  Ps.  lxix.  26 — 28.;  which  is  so 
contrary  to  the  new  commandment  of  loving  our 
enemies — Our  lips  speak  nothing  but  the  heart  of 
David — Psalms  lxix.  and  cix.  are  so  full  of  curs- 
ings,  that  they  hardly  become  the  tongue  of  a  fol- 
lower of  the  blessed  Jesus — By  that  time  they  are 
fitted  for  Christian  psalmody,  the  composure  can 
hardly  be  called  inspired  or  divine"* 

Thus  we  see  it  was  neither  a  faithless  version, 
nor  bad  poetry,  that  Dr.  W.  faulted ;  but  keeping 
too  close  to  David,  speaking  nothing  but  his  heart, 
and  using  what  is  inspired  or  divine :  for  the  in- 
spired and  divine  character  of  the  Psalms  must  be 
nearly,  if  not  altogether  destroyed,  before  they  are 
fit  for  Christian  psalmody ! ! !  How  Dr.  E.  can 
reconcile  to  his  native  candour,  or  to  the  high 
character  of  a  fair  reviewer,  this  part  of  his  Journal, 
is  for  him,  not  me,  to  determine. 

When  Dr.  E.  affirms,  that  Dr.  W.  never  spoke 
thus  of  u  the  words  of  inspiration,  or  the  original 
songs  of  Zion,"  it  is  hoped  he  intends  no  quibble  on 
the  words,  inspiration  and  original.  Hebrew  words, 
and  songs  in  the  Hebrew  language,  constitute  not 
the  subject  of  discussion;  but  faithful  translations 
of  these  songs.  And  be  it  known  to  Dr.  E.,  that 
Dr.  Watts  so  spoke  of  the  ivords  of  inspiration, 
and  of  the  original  songs  of  Zion,  in  such  trans- 
Bee  Apology,  pp.  100,  101. — Present  edition,  pp.  97— 100. 

16 


182  APPENDIX. 

lations  ;  and  to  such  language  Dr.  E.  refers  when 
he  says,  "  Dr.  W.  and  others  have  written  many 
unguarded  sentences  concerning  David  and  the 
Psalms,  of  which  we  sincerely  disapprove."  I 
suspect,  indeed,  ere  this,  unless  the  Doctor  be  more 
u  heated  by  the  fires  of  party  spirit"  than  is  usual 
even  for  party  men,  he  has  experienced  some  un- 
pleasant twitchings  of  both  candour  and  conscience, 
for  the  part  he  has  acted  in  defence  of  his  favourite 
psalmist  of  Southampton. 

But  what  of  Mr.  Freeman  ?  Have  I  not  misre- 
presented him?  So  my  good  friend  Dr.  E.  says. 
But  we  have  seen,  in  more  instances  than  one,  that 
the  Doctor  is,  at  least,  capable  of  misapprehension. 
I  had  quoted  Mr.  F.  as  saying,  "  We  have  no  au- 
thority, divine  nor  human,  for  singing  David's 
Psalms — they  should  not  be  used;"  omitting  the 
words,  as  a  system  of  psalmody.  This  is  the 
whole  ground  of  charge  against  me  here.  It  is  ob- 
vious the  matter  in  dispute  is,  whether  the  Psalms, 
as  a  book  or  system,  that  is,  the  whole  of  the  Book 
of  Psalms,  should  be  used  in  the  psalmody  of  the 
church.  Mr.  F.  had  taken  the  negative,  and  I  the 
positive  side.  I  state  explicitly,  in  the  note  from 
which  Dr.  E.  quotes,  that  Mr.  F.  allowed  the  use 
of  some  of  the  Psalms.  This  is  all  Mr.  F.  contends 
tor;  and  all  that  Dr.  E.  can  claim  for  him.  Where- 
in, then,  have  I  misrepresented  Mr.  F.?  Certainly 
iii  nothing.  The  intention  of  that  note  was  to  ex- 
pose the  absurdity  of  Mr.  F.  in  using  some  of  those 
Psalms  in  the  worship  of  God,  for  which  he  said 
there  was  no  authority,  divine  nor  human.  Dr.  E. 
can  now  help  Mr.  F.  to  an  authority,  borrowed 
from  Rome  indeed,  but  no  matter;  it  is  at  least 
human  authority  $  it  is  not  forbidden. 


no.  i.  IBS 

Whether  I  have  misrepresented  the  sentiments 
of  Dr.  Latta,  or  of  others,  or  thought  too  meanly 
of  their  reasoning,  must  be  left  to  others  to  decide. 
I  confess  for  myself,  I  have  never  read,  in  the  So- 
cinian  attacks  upon  the  authority  of  Scripture,  and 
not  often  in  deistical  writings,  language  more 
strongly  impious  than  what  I  find  in  these  writers 
against  the  Book  of  Psalms.  And  I  have  not  yet 
imbibed  so  much  u  of  party  fire,"  as  to  declaim 
against  Dr.  Priestley  for  faulting  the  reasoning  of 
the  apostle  Paul,  and  justify  Doctors  Watts  and 
Latta,  and  others,  in  reviling  the  Book  of  Psalms. 
As  respects  their  reasoning,  I  have  rarely  met  with 
any  thing  bearing  the  name,  so  contemptible.  That 
they  all  have  spoken  many  things  in  commenda- 
tion of  u  that  divinely  inspired  book,"  is  matter  of 
fact;  and  it  is  likewise  matter  of  fact,  equally  no- 
torious, that  every  public  advocate  of  a  human 
psalmody,  from  John  of  Ley  den  down  to  Dr.  E., 
has  written,  at  least  respecting  some  parts  of  it,  in 
a  style  unblessed.  The  productions  of  these  painters 
are  indeed  u  monstrous  caricatures."  Among  those 
features  of  loveliness  which  they  often  draw,  they 
place  some  form  of  horror,  from  which  the  mind 
of  moral  sensibility  seeks  speedily  to  escape. 

With  two  or  three  brief  remarks,  I  shall  dismiss 
these  animadversions,  already  unduly  prolonged, 
"  Public  singing/7  says  Dr.  E.,  u  is  an  act  of  social 
worship ;  and  every  singer  should  adopt  each  line 
as  his  own.  It  is  no  more  lawful  to  tell  lies  in  our 
psalms,  than  in  our  social  prayers." — P.  397.  Yet 
he  says,  with  usual  consistency  on  this  subject, 
"  A  Christian  congregation  may  sing  historical 
cantos,"  p.  401 — which,  of  course,  they  cannot  all 
"  adopt  as  their  own."     If  a  worshipper  sings  a 


184  APPENDIX. 

literal  version  of  Ps.  xxii.  1 ,  &c.  '  My  God,  my 
God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me?'  &c.  the  Doctor, 
after  the  worthy  example  of  his  predecessors,  as- 
sures us,  he  is  "  literally  uttering  lies  concerning 
himself." — P.  402.  And  to  prevent  this,  he  ought, 
like  "  Dr.  Watts,  by  a  little  history  taken  from  the 
New  Testament,"  to  modify  and  explain  the  subject. 
The  reader  will  remark,  that  this  Psalm  was  in- 
scribed "  To  the  chief  musican."  It  was  sent  to 
the  tabernacle,  literally,  as  composed  by  the  in- 
spired Psalmist ;  for  there  was  then  no  New  Tes- 
tament, from  which  "  a  little  history"  could  be 
taken  to  illustrate  it ;  nor  any  Dr.  Watts  to  improve 
what  the  Spirit  of  God  had  done.  Yet  the  congre- 
gation of  the  Lord  sung  it,  literally,  as  it  was. 
Assume  it  as  their  own  they  could  not ;  and,  upon 
Dr.  E/s  position,  what  is  the  inference?  Why,  that 
they  "  literally  uttered  lies  concerning  themselves" 
How  pitiable  the  condition  of  those  Israelites! 
Obliged  to  utter  lies  before  God — absit  blasphemia 
— in  the  use  of  that  song  which  God's  Spirkvin- 
dited,  and  inscribed  for  their  use !  But  the  folly 
of  these  positions  is  sufficiently  exposed  elsewhere ; 
and  therefore  I  leave  them,  only  remarking,  that 
the  worshipper  who  understands  the  true  import  of 
these  Psalms,  who  derives  from  them  that  spiritual 
instruction  which  they  contain,  and  sings  them  un- 
der the  direction  of  that  Spirit  who  indited  them, 
toill  not  apprehend  any  danger  of  "  uttering  false- 
hood," much  less  of  "  telling  lies"  to  his  Maker. 

Dr.  E.  (p.  397?)  gives  us  a  specimen  of  his  talent 
as  an  expositor,  and  another  example  of  his  can- 
dour as  a  critic.  He  says,  "  Rouse  represents  Je- 
hovah as  asking,  [Ps.  cviii.]  in  ver.  10, 1 1.  'O  who 
is  he  will  bring  me  to  the  city  fortified  ?? "  &c.  ;  and 


no.  i.  185 

adds  in  way  of  comment,  "  We  apprehend  David 
becomes  the  speaker  at  the  beginning  of  these  in- 
terrogations." It  happens  unfortunately  for  Dr.  E. 
upon  this  subject,  that  he  deals  very  liberally  in 
misapprehensions.  Examine  this  portion  of  the 
Psalms,  and  it  will  be  found  that  Rouse  gives  no 
idea  but  what  is  justified,  both  by  the  original 
and  by  the  prose  version ;  and  there  is  no  change 
of  person  from  verse  7  to  12,  or  rather,  there  is  no 
change  of  person  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of 
the  Psalm.  But  this  is  the  advantage  of  having 
the  Psalms  so  modified,  as  "  to  contain  the  expo- 
sition in  themselves !" 

As  the  criticisms  of  Dr.  E.  on  the  poetical  taste 
of  those  who  advocate  a  scripture  psalmody,  have 
little  bearing  upon  the  subject — and  had  they  more, 
some  of  them  are  in  such  a  style  as  to  preclude  re- 
ply— I  willingly  leave  him  to  "  the  detection  of 
poetical  beauties,"  in  the  hymns  of  Dr.  W. ;  and 
to  edify  the  church  with  the  chaste  and  elegant 
effusions  of  his  own  muse.*  Nor  shall  we  detain 
to  weigh  the  respective  claims  of  poetic  merit  in 
the  Imitation  and  version  of  the  Book  of  Psalms. 
This  is  not  our  business.  Dr.  E.  is  welcome  to  all 
he  can  make  of  the  "  smooth,  easy,  and  natural 
versification  of  Watts ;"  but  he  should  recollect, 
that  he  has  confessed  the  production  to  be  err  one- 

*  Dr.  E.  has  some  pretensions  to  the  reputation  of  a  poet.  The  last 
production  of  his  mv.se  that  has  met  my  eye,  is  a  hymn,  composed  on 
occasion  of  a  visit  of  the  "  Osage  Mission  Family,"  to  Philadelphia, 
and  sung-  at  one  of  their  public  meetings  in  April  last.  The  man  who 
is  capable  of  composing  and  pouring  forth  upon  the  world  such  rhymes, 
is  doubtless  entitled  to  grin  upon  "  Rouse*,"  and  to  sneer  at  all  "whose 
poetical  habits  have  been  formed  by  the  taste  of  Rouse."  The  religious 
feeling  and  fine  taste,  too,  must  be  admired,  which  induced  a  large  as- 
sembly  to  prefer  that  hymn  to  the  96th,  98th,  and  other  Psalms  in 
Rouse's  version ! 

"  Qui  B avium  non  odit,  amet  tua  cannina,  MceviP 

16* 


186  APPENDIX. 

ous.    It  seems,  however,  in  this  instance,  the  Doc- 
tor takes  his  stand  among  those  critics  whose 

" praise  is  still, — the  style  is  excellent: 

The  sense  they  humbly  take  upon  content." 

"  After  all/'  says  Dr.  E.,  "  the  instances  in 
which  erroneous  sentiments  are  expressed  in  Watts' 
Psalms  and  Hymns,  are  few,  and  might  be  easily 
corrected.  Until  they  are,  every  minister  and 
people  are  at  liberty  to  avoid  singing  any  part 
which  they  deem  exceptionable ;  for  God  has  com- 
manded us  to  sing,  and  restricted  our  songs  only 
by  the  injunction  to  do  every  thing  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  A  form  of  psalmody  he  has  not 
required  us  to  observe  any  more  than  a  form  in 
every  prayer  which  we  offer." — P.  405.  Thus 
Dr.  E.  consoles  himself  with  the  fact,  that  the  er- 
rors in  sentiment,  of  his  Psalm  Book,  are  not  nu- 
merous— informs  us  they  may  be  used  or  not — that 
there  is  no  restriction,  as  to  truth  or  error,  in  our 
song,  except  to  sing  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ! 
And  once  more  he  assures  us,  a  form  of  psalmody 
is  no  more  requisite  than  a  form  of  prayers !  This 
is  really  so  much  in  style  of  nonsense,  that  it  should 
probably  be  exempted  from  the  charge  of  wicked- 
ness. 

One  passage  more  from  Dr.  E.  must  be  noticed, 
which  was  likely  to  be  forgotten.  Speaking  of  Ps. 
lxix.  26 — 28.  which  Dr.  Watts  had  adduced  as  an 
example  of  contradiction  to  the  gospel  spirit,  Dr.  E. 
affirms — "  One  would  naturally,  from  the  use  of  a 
simple  translation  of  the  verses,  be  led  to  sing  his 
own  malignant  execrations  against  his  own  per- 
sonal enemies,  and  to  think  he  was  doing  God  ser- 
vice by  breathing  out  revenge!" — P.  399.  As- 
tonishing !  "  a  simple  translation,"  that  is,  a  pure. 


no. -i.  137 

wicompounded  translation  of  the  word  of  God, 
would  naturally  lead  one  to  sing  his  own  malig- 
nant execrations,  and  to  breathe  out  revenge! — 
This,  Christian,  is  too  much  indeed.  God  keep 
you  and  me  from  espousing  that  cause,  which  drags 
all  its  public  advocates  to  such  blasphemy.  Dr.  E., 
the  devout,  the  ardent  and  able  advocate  of  ortho- 
doxy, the  good  man,  and  the  acute  metaphysician, 
in  advocating  the  Psalms  of  Watts,  is  compelled  to 
sear  his  lips  by  profanity,  and  to  blot  his  page  with 
the  language  of  infidelity!  What  clouds,  what 
wrath,  hang  over  that  dreadful  system !  After  all 
this,  I  confess  I  have  little  heart  to  accompany  the 
Doctor  any  further  in  his  progress  of  psalmodic 
discussion.  I  hope  to  find  him  soon  in  some  pur- 
suit, more  congenial  with  the  Bible,  and  the  usual 
tenour  of  his  own  dispositions.  He  has  heedlessly 
become  the  champion  of  a  cause  which  none  has 
managed  well,  and  which  he  certainly  does  not  un- 
derstand. Let,  then,  its  future  advocates  be  found 
among  worse  men,  who  have  less  to  loose ;  for  the 
farther  it  is  followed,  the  more  desperate  it  will  be- 
come, and  the  more  deeply  will  it  sink  with  its  ad- 
herents, before  an  inquiring  and  Christian  public. 

In  parting,  Dr.  E.  may  be  assured,  that  instead  of 
inducing  us  to  look  unfavourably  upon  him  and  his 
friends,  in  their  stand  for  truth  and  evangelical 
order,  and  the  real  revival  of  godliness,  our  "  testi- 
monies and  covenants,  and  our  pride  of  consisten- 
cy/' are  to  him  and  them  the  surest  pledge  of  our 
cordial  co-operation.  We  rejoice  in  the  triumphs 
of  true  religion,  wherever  seen ;  and  our  fervent 
and  constant  prayer  is,  that  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  his  servants,  our  common  Lord  would 
speedily  give  to  his  own  cause  an  ascendancy,  uni- 


188  APPENDIX. 

versal  as  it  would  be  blessed.     But  it  must  be  re- 
collected by  our  brethren,  that  our  motto  is, 

"  Still  pleas'd  to  praise,  yet  not  afraid  to  blame." 

We  cannot  indeed  but  remark  the  weening  solici- 
tude of  Dr.  E.,  that  the  several  churches,  attached 
to  a  Scripture  psalmody,  should  amalgamate  with 
the  General  Assembly.  Than  union  among  breth- 
ren, there  is  nothing  more  lovely,  or  more  desira- 
ble ;  if  we  except  religious  truth  and  purity.  With- 
out these,  however,  no  union  can  be  happy  in  it- 
self, nor  salutary  in  its  results.  Experience  should 
have  taught  Dr.  E.,  (for  on  the  subject  he  has  had 
many  a  lesson,)  that  of  discordant  principles  there 
can  be  no  amalgamation :  they  will  still  be  like 
the  iron  and  miry  clay,  in  the  prophetic  vision. — 
Should  the  jarring  parties  now  upon  the  field,  unite, 
each  holding  its  distinctive  principles  and  opposing 
practices,  would  they  be  really  more  united  than 
they  are?  Would  they  love  truth  or  one  another 
more  ?  Certainly  not.  What  then  should  be  gained  ? 
Nothing  at  all.  Of  how  little  value  are  those  aims 
and  exertions,  which  are  directed  to  a  mere  nominal 
union  among  professors ;  when  compared  with  those 
which  are  directed  to  combine  the  energies  of  the 
good,  the  consistent  and  the  enterprising, — inde- 
pendent of  factious  principles  and  mere  party  views, 
— under  the  influence  of  evangelical  truth,  purity 
and  order,  for  the  purpose  of  rearing  the  goodly 
edifice  of  Zion!  How  painful  to  see  Christian 
ministers,  instead  of  devising  how  the  church  shall 
come  up  from  those  errors  and  corruptions,  which 
so  greatly  enfeeble  her  powers  and  mar  her  beauty, 
fixing  their  eyes  upon  a  General  Assembly,  and 
viewing  an  amalgamation  of  other  bodies  with  that 
Assembly,  as  their  highest  wish  and  only  aim ! 


no.  i.  189 

Every  age,  however,  has  had  its  hobby,  upon 
which  some  conspicuous  individual  has  been  mount- 
ed; while  the  crowd  of  smaller  men  have  been 
employed,  for  his  pleasure,  in  pushing  it  along. 
The  amalgamation  of  discordant  principles  into 
one  system,  has  been  the  stalking-horse  of  aspiring 
minds,  and  sometimes  of  good  men,  in  different 
periods.  Ammonius  Saccas,  long  ago,  made  him- 
self a  name  by  his  attempt  to  amalgamate  the  op- 
posing elements  of  the  Gentile  philosophy,  and  im- 
pure idolatries,  with  the  sublime  doctrines  and  holy 
institutes  of  the  Saviour  of  men.  A  similar  attempt 
was  made,  and  with  similar  effects  upon  true  re- 
ligion, by  Marcellinus,  in  the  following  age.  At 
a  later  day,  others  endeavoured  to  revive  the  work. 
The  aims  and  endeavours  of  Calixtus,  in  the  17th 
century,  to  unite  the  Calvinists,  "Lutherans,  and 
Roman  Catholics ;  as  well  as  the  attempt  of  the 
amiable  Melancthon,  to  unite  the  Greek  and 
Protestant  churches,  are  well  known;  and  with 
how  little  success,  need  not  now  be  told.  It  mat- 
ters not  whence  error  and  corruption  originate; 
whether  among  Gentiles,  Roman  Catholics,  or  de- 
generate Protestants  ;  their  nature  is  still  the  same. 
They  cannot  amalgamate  with  the  truths  and  ordi- 
nances of  Jesus  Christ.  To  attempt  it,  is  vain ; 
and  should  it  succeed,  it  would  be  pernicious-  It 
might  give  extension  to  a  name,  gratify  a  paltry 
vanity,  and,  for  a  time,  afford  an  unhallowed  calm; 
but  such  heterogeneous  associations  never  have, 
and  never  can,  promote  the  high  purposes  of  truth 
and  order.  Yet  "  this  design  carries  with  it  so  fair 
and  pleadable  a  pretence,  that  those  who  are  once 
engaged  in  it,  are  apt  to  think  that  they,  alone, 
are  the  true  lovers  of  Christianity — the  only  sober 
and  indifferent  persons  Jit  to  umpire  all  the  differ- 


190  APPENDIX, 

ences  in  the  world,  in  a  few  propositions  which 
they  have  framed. — No  experience  of  endless  dis- 
appointments, and  of  increasing  new  differences — 
of  forming  new  parties,  of  reviving  old  animosities 
- — will  discourage  them  in  their  design. — But  this 
I  say,  whether  men  will  hear,  or  forbear,  there  is 
but  one  way  of  effecting  this  blessed  work — of  re- 
conciliation among  Christians — and  this  way  is, 
that  all  churches  should  endeavour  to  reduce  them- 
selves unto  the  primitive  pattern"  #  f 


No.  II. 
DR.  WATTS. 

(Seep.  117.) 

WHAT  were  the  opinions  of  Dr.  Watts  on  the 
subject  of  the  Trinity,  and  person  of  Jesus  Christ? 
It  would  be  pleasant,  indeed,  could  we  find  him 
among  the  sound  divines  of  England ;  but  there, 

*  Owen  on  the  Spirit. 

t  Should  Dr.  E.,  or  any  friend  of  a  human  psalmody,  resume  the 
subject,  it  is  hoped  he  will  be  explicit  in  stating  his  opinion  on  the 
subjects  of  the  following-  queries,  as,  in  their  mode  of  speaking  of 
them  there  is  great  ambiguity. 

1.  How  may  we  ascertain  an  institution  to  be  of  divine  authority,  or 
otherwise  ? 

2.  Is  the  common  English  version  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  upon 
the  whole,  to  be  viewed  as  the  word  of  God  ?  and,  if  not,  upon  what 
does  the  faith  of  the  unlearned  rest  ? 

3.  Why  must  scripture  songs,  when  sung,  be  assumed  as  expressing 
our  own  sentiments  and  experience,  and  when  read  not  be  so  assumed  ? 

4.  Why  does  a  particular  circumstance,  giving  occasion  to  an  in- 
spired song,  unfit  it  for  social,  public  singing,  any  more  than  for  social, 
public  reading  ? 

5.  Why  must  an  inspired  psalm,  when  sung,  be  personally  assumed, 
and  an  uninspired  hymn  not? 

6.  Why  is  that  which  is  true,  when  read,  a  lie  when  sung? 

7.  What  would  be  a  correct  and  comprehensive  definition  of  will- 
worship  ? 


NO.  II.  191 

it  is  believed,  his  works  will  not  allow  him  to  be 
placed.  An  examination  of  these  will  prove  him 
to  have  embraced  a  compound  of  Noetianism,  Sa- 
bellianism,  Arianism,  and  Socinianism,  He  was 
not  of  a  spirit  implicitly  to  follow  any  one  leader. 
If  any  be  disposed  to  distinguish  between  theprac- 
tical  faith  of  his  heart,  and  the  specidativet&rticAes 
of  his  creed,  I  have  no  objection.  Believing,  how- 
ever, as  I  do,  that  God  has  not  constituted  us  arbi- 
ters of  the  state  of  men,  I  have  only  to  do  with  the 
latter — upon  the  former  it  is  not  mine  to  decide. 
The  Doctor's  sentiments  concerning  the  Redeemer, 
will  be  found  in  his  u  Discourses  on  the  glory  of 
Christ."  The  edition  now  before  me  is  that  of 
1746,  but  a  little  more  than  a  year  before  the  au- 
thor's death — There  you  will  find  him  zealously 
maintaining,  that  the  human  soul  of  Christ,  created 
before  all  worlds,  is  the  Lord  from  heaven,  spoken 
of  1  Cor.  xv.  47-# — That  in  the  image  of  this  pre- 
existent  spirit,  Adam  was  created"! — That  the  son- 
ship  of  Christ,  belongs,  exclusively,  to  his  human 
soul;f — That  the  covenant  of  redemption  was  not 
made  with  a  person  who  was  the  Father's  equal, 
but  with  this  created  spirit.^  Such  are  some  of 
the  views,  which  this  author  supposes  would  make 
the  Bible  more  defensible.  His  opinions  on  the 
doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  may  be  gathered  from  the 
following  address  to  God. 

"  Dear  and  blessed  God,  hadst  thou  been  pleased,  in 
any  one  plain  scripture,  to  have  informed  me  which  of  the 
different  opinions  about  the  holy  Trinity,  among-  the  con- 
tending- parties  of  Christians,  had  been  true,  thou  knowest 
with  how  much  real   satisfaction,  and  joy,  my  unbiassed 


Pp.  175,  176.  f  P.  203.  I  P.  201.  £  Pp.  180.  225 


192  APPENDIX. 

heart  would  have  opened  itself  to  receive  and  embrace 
the  divine  discovery.  Hadst  thou  told  me  plainly,  in  any 
single  text,  that  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  are 
three  real  distinct  persons  in  thy  divine  nature,  I  had  never 
suffered  myself  to  be  bewildered  in  so  many  doubts,  nor 
embarrassed  with  so  many  strong  fears  of  assenting  to 
the  mere  inventions  of  men,  instead  of  divine  doctrine ; 
but  I  should  have  humbly  and  immediately  accepted  thy 
words,  so  far  as  it  was  possible  for  me  to  understand  them, 
as  the  only  rule  of  my  faith.  Or,  hadst  thou  been  pleased 
so  to  express  and  include  this  proposition  in  the  several 
scattered  parts  of  thy  book,  from  whence  my  reason  and 
conscience  might  with  care  find  out,  and  with  certainty 
infer  this  doctrine,  1  should  have  joyfully  employed  all 
my  reasoning-  powers,  with  their  utmost  skill  and  activity, 
to  have  found  out  this  inference,  and  ingrafted  it  into  my 
soul. 

— Holy  Father, — how  can  such  weak  creatures  ever  take 
in  so  strange,  so  difficult,  and  so  abstruse  a  doctrine  as  this? 
And  can  this  strange  and  perplexing  notion  of  three  real 
persons,  going  to  make  up  one  true  God,  be  so  necessary 
and  so  important  a  part  of  that  christian  doctrine,  which, 
in  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  New,  is  represented  as  so 
plain  and  so  easy,  even  to  the  meanest  understanding?". 
—  Watts'  Works,  vol.  7.  pp.  476 — 7.  Leeds  Ed. 

Let  us  advert  again  to  the  manner  in  which  his 
writings  have  been  understood  by  eminent  divines, 
in  different  countries,  and  of  various  religious  per- 
suasions. Dr.  Doddridge  was  his  friend,  his  com- 
panion, admirer,  and  biographer.  He  was  capable 
of  entering  into  the  views,  and  certainly  cannot  be 
suspected  of  a  disposition  to  misrepresent  the  sen- 
timents of  Dr.  Watts.  I  refer  the  reader,  then,  to 
the  statements  of  Dr.  Doddridge  on  this  subject — 

"  For  as  much  as — there  is  such  a  change  and  humilia- 
tion asserted  concerning  Christ,  as  could  not  properly  be 
asserted  concerning  an  eternal  and  immutable  being,  as 
such,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  Christ  had,  before  his 
incarnation,  a  created  or  derived  nature,  which  would  admit 
of  such  a  change. —  Watts'  Diss,  on  the  Trin.  No.  3.  Works, 
vol.  G.  pp.  518—54.     (See  Doddr.  vol.  2.  p.  154.) 


no.  ii.  193 

Again,  "  Dr.  Watts  maintained  One  Supreme  God  dwell- 
ing- in  the  human  nature  of  Christ,  which  he  supposes  to 
have  existed  the  first  of  all  creatures  ;  and  speaks  of  the 
divine  Logos,  as  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  the  Holy  Spirit 
as  the  divine  power,  or  the  influence  and  effect  of  it ;  which 
he  says  is  a  scriptural  person,?",  e.  spoken  of  figuratively 
in  Scripture,  under  personal  characters. —  Watts'  Diss.  No. 
7.  Works,  vol.  6.  p.  630."— (See  Doddr.  vol.  2.  p.  193.) 

He  also  referred  Christ's  being  the  only  begotten  Son  of 
God,  "  to  his  being  the  promised  Messiah,  or  to  his  extra- 
ordinary conception,  and  exaltation  to  his  kingdom  as 
Mediator."— (See  Doddr.  vol.  2.  p.  178.) 

President  Edwards  urges  fourteen  distinct  argu- 
ments against  the  hypothesis  of  Dr.  Watts,  con- 
cerning Jesus  Christ.  He  has  this  remark — "  Ac- 
cording  to  what  seems  to  be  Dr.  Watts'  scheme, 
the  Son  of  God  is  no  distinct  divine  person  from 
the  Father"*  That  his  son,  the  late  Dr.  Edwards, 
viewed  the  subject  in  a  similar  light,  is  more  than 
presumable,  from  the  fact,  that  he  transcribed  these 
arguments  of  his  venerable  father,  for  the  press. 
The  same  conclusion  may  be  drawn  in  respect  of 
Dr.  Erskine,  of  Edinburgh,  from  the  interest  he 
took  in  the  publication  of  these  Essays  of  the  Pre- 
sident of  Nassau  Hall;  and  from  the  special  notice 
which  he  takes  of  that  part  of  them,  containing 
the  refutation  of  the  scheme  of  Dr.  W. 

In  the  same  light  are  these  writings  of  Dr.  W. 
understood  by  the  venerable  Dr.  Anderson.f  "  He 
taught,"  says  Dr.  A.  "  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  not 
a  person  really  distinct  from  the  Father,  but  the 
divine  power — that  there  are  no  real  distinct  per- 
sons in  the  Godhead."  In  a  similar  point  of  view 
is  the  subject  contemplated  by  the  Rev.  James  R. 
Willson,  in  his  very  interesting  "  History  of  opi- 

*  E  -  I  Vindicise.  Cantus  Doja   r  "'  • 

17 


194  APPENDIX. 

nions  on  the  Atonement. "  Hear  the  confession  of 
another — It  is  that  of  Dr.  Ely.  "  We  cannot 
deny,"  says  Dr.  E.  "that  Dr.  Watts'  treatise — has 
wrought  much  mischief- — It  was  the  book  which 
first  turned  the  head  of  the  Rev.  John  Sherman* 
— we  wish  the  'pernicious  consequences  of  that 
treatise  had  terminated  here."f 

In  the  same  paget  we  are  informed,  that  Mr. 
Allison,  late  chaplain  to  Congress,  last  January, 
preached  the  heresy  to  our  representatives,  and 
gave  Dr.  W.  as  the  author  of  the  doctrine. 

Thus,  with  Noetus  and  Sabellius,  the  Doctor 
maintained  a  certain  union  to  subsist  between  the 
man  Christ,  and  the  divine  nature,  or  some  portion 
of  it — W  ith  Arius  he  maintained,  that  the  Son  of 
God  is  a  super-angelic  creature,  formed  before 
the  foundation  of  the  world,  and  employed  in  the 
creation  of  all  things — And  with  the  Socinians, 
that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  not  a  distinct  person ;  but 
the  divine  power,  or  its  effect/  Such  were  the 
opinions  of  Dr.  W.,  written  and  left  on  record  by 
himself;  and  thus  have  these  opinions  been  under- 
stood by  Doddridge,  the  two  Edwardses,  Erskine, 
Anderson,  JVillson,  Ely,  &c.  And  it  is  notorious, 
that  every  Socinian,  who  has  read  his  works,  claims 
him  as  of  that  school.  His  solemn  address  admits 
of  no  explanation.  If  ever  man  is  serious  in  the 
expression  of  his  sentiments,  it  is  when  he  ad- 
dresses God ;  and,  if  ever  he  expresses  those  sen- 

*  Mr.  Sherman  became  a  violent  Socinian,  and  wrote  a  book  to 
prove  that  the  Saviour  was  only  a  man.     Dr.  W.'s  book  seduced  him. 

t  Review,  No.  2,  p.  221.  Dr.  Ely  admits  Dr.  W.  to  have  been  a  Sa- 
bellian  $  yet  Dr.  E.  recommends  his  works,  u  errors  notwithstanding  ': 
i;t  a  style  which  we  were  not  prepared  to  expect.  The  author  of  the 
t;  Contrast"  should  not  have  driven  his  name  to  circulate  the  confessed 
heresies  of  W.  But  these  Works,  and  his  recommendation,  now  go 
Viand  in  hand  in  the  production  of  "  much  mischief." 


NO.  Hi  195 

timents  with  precision,  it  is  when  he  writes  them. 
Dr.  W.  has  done  both — He  ventured  to  tell  his 
Maker,  that  the  doctrine  of  three  real  persons  in 
the  Godhead,  is  a  strange  and  perplexing  notion, 
which  we  cannot  receive ;  and  which  is  not  even 
inferrible  from  the  whole  contents  of  the  Book  of 
God! 

The  truth  is,  u  comparatively  few  divines  of  any 
class, — at  the  darkeneo)  period  in  which  Dr.  W. 
lived  and  wrote,  held  out  the  glimmering  lamp  of 
sound  evangelical  instruction."*  Giving  too  much 
way  to  the  gambols  of  imagination,  it  u  occasionally 
carried  him  out  (say  his  friends)  into  moral  and 
sentimental  excursions,  beyond  the  usual  limits  of 
plain  evangelical  truth. "f — And,  according  to  the 
historian  of  the  English  dissenters,!  from  these  ex- 
cursions it  was  no  easy  task  to  bring  him  back. 
Childishly  fond  of  something  new,  over  the  crea- 
tures of  his  fancy  he  doated  with  an  overweening 
affection  ;  not  because  they  were  legitimate,  but  be- 
cause they  were  his  own. 

It  is  not  a  little  strange,  that  a  doubt  suggested 
as  to  the  orthodoxy  of  Dr.  W.  should,  in  certain 
quarters,  produce  so  much  sensibility.  Why  not 
contend  with  equal  zeal,  for  the  soundness  of  Ro- 
binson and  Priestlev  ?  No  man  will  hesitate  to 
place  Robinson,  the  author  of  the  Village  Sermons, 
and  Watts,  in  the  same  rank  as  to  orthodoxy. — 
The  same  Robinson,  the  author  of  Ecclesiastical 
Researches,  and  Priestley,  the  historian  of  Early 
Opinions,  were  fellow  labourers  in  the  same  cause 
of  heresy — Why  then  separate  Watts,  Robinson, 
and  Priestley  ?    They  were  all  learned  and  amiable 

*  Christ.  Obs.  f  Ibid.  ;  Bogue. 


196  APPENDIX. 

men ;  and  all  equally  mistaken  in  the  jirst  princi- 
ples of  true  religion — the  object  and  medium  of 
worship.  But  Watts  gave  a  book  of  Psalms  to 
orthodox  churches  ! 


No.  III. 


MODE  OF  SINGING. 

In  Psalmody  the  music  should  be  solemn  and 
simple.  Perhaps  there  might  be  a  general  reform 
effected  in  it  by  the  banishment  of  every  difficult 
tune,  and  the  adoption  of  a  manner  better  calcu- 
lated to  engage  the  attention  to  the  sentiment,  ra- 
ther than  to  the  sound.  Would  not  the  chanting 
of  the  Psalms  in  prose,  be  more  congenial  with  the 
nature  of  sacred  worship,  than  the  modish  art, 
which,  almost  universally,  is  at  war  with  the  en- 
gagement of  the  mind  and  the  heart  ?  I  have  said, 
chanting  the  Psalms  in  prose;  not  that  I  am  dis- 
pleased with  a  measured  version,  for  if  the  trans- 
lation be  fair,  whether  it  be  in  prose  or  verse,  it  is 
equally  the  word  of  God.  The  Westminster  Di- 
rectory enjoins  it  on  the  whole  congregation  to 
unite  in  this  service,  and  to  sing  directly  on,  except 
in  a  given  case.  The  spirit  of  that  injunction  has 
the  sanction  of  good  sense.  One  very  general 
practice,  however,  cannot  be  reprobated  in  terms 
too  strong ;  that  of  an  entire  congregation,  say  of 
a  thousand,  or  fifteen  hundred  persons,  resigning 
the  ivhole  of  this  part  of  worship  to  a  dozen  or  two, 
usually  of  the  most  trifling  characters;  for  the  choir 


no.  iv.  197 

demands  no  qualification  but  a  well-tuned  voice. 
The  whole  attention  is  obviously  devoted  to  the 
music.  The  notes  of  the  tune,  frequently  occupy 
the  place  of  the  Psalm  Book!  And  this  farce  is 
countenanced  by  ministers  of  religion — this  outrage 
on  devotion,  and  insult  against  the  God  of  heaven, 
is  called  religious  worship ! 


No.  IV. 


THE  CREED 

Of  the  Advocates  of  a  Human  Psalmody,  as  deduced  from 
their  Writings. 

I.  We  believe  and  profess,  that  divine  institution 
cannot  be  pleaded  for  the  use  of  the  Book  of  Psalms, 
in  the  church  of  God. — Latta,  p.  77.  Freeman, 
p.  20. 

II.  That  the  introduction  of  the  Book  of  Psalms 
into  the  psalmody  of  the  church,  was  an  innovation, 
unauthorised,  except  by  Arians,  to  the  exclusion 
of  an  evangelical  psalmody. — Latin,  p.  77- 

III.  That  the  language  and  doctrine  of  the  Old 
Testament  are  very  remote  from  an  evangelical 
creed,  such  as  that  agreed  upon  by  the  council  of 
Nice. — Ibid.  pp.  50 — 51. 

IV.  That  the  word  of  Christ  is  icholly,  to  the 
exclusion  of  all  the  Old  Testament  scriptures,  con- 
fined to  the  writings  of  the  New  Testament. — Ibid. 
pp.  20.  29.  Freeman,  p.  4. 

V.  That  the  Father,  as  a  distinct  object  of  wor- 
ship, and  the  Son  as  the  way  of  access  to  him,  are 
wholly  unknown  to  the  Old  Testament ;  that  the 


198 


APPENDIX. 


worship  of  that  dispensation  was  not  presented, 
through  the  Mediator. — Latta,  p.  29.  and  Pref. 
p.  7. 

VI.  That  the  use  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  in  the 
church's  worship,  decides  clearly  in  favour  of 
Arianism,  and  directly  tends  to  make  heresy  tri- 
umphant.— Ibid.  p.  77.     Freeman,  pp.  14,  15. 

VII.  That  "  the  Psalms  of  David  were  properly 
suited  to  a  designed  perversion  of  truth,  under  the 
specious  argument  of  divine  authority/'  to  lead  the 
mind  "  from  the  doctrine  of  a  divine  Saviour." — 
Baird,  p.  81. 

VIII.  That  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
was  not  designed  to  inspire  converts  to  the  gospel 
with  veneration  and  respect  for  the  Psalms  of  Da- 
vid.— Latta,  p.  42. 

IX.  That  the  matter  and  ivords  of  the  scripture 
songs  flatten  our  devotion,  awaken  our  regret,  and 
touch  all  the  springs  of  uneasiness  within  us. — 
Watts'  Pref.  pp.  3,  4. 

X.  That  they  contain  such  dreadful  curses  against 
men,  as  to  make  them  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the 
gospel. — Ibid.  pp.  4,  5. 

XI.  That  the  use  of  these  songs  of  inspiration, 
checks  us  in  our  ascent  toward  heaven,  throws  the 
vail  of  Moses  over  our  hearts,  darkens  our  views 
of  God  the  Saviour,  and  dulls  our  worship  of  mere 
necessity. — Ibid. 

XII.  That  their  use  shocks  the  soul,  ruffles  the 
spirit,  spoils  the  devotion,  and  affrights  the  con- 
science, lest,  in  employing  the  language  of  inspira- 
tion, we  speak  a  falsehood  unto  God. — Ibid.  p.  5. 

XIII.  That  to  sing  many  of  the  Bible  Psalms, 
implies  a  contradiction,  and  cannot  be  done  with- 
out falsehood, — Freeman,  p.  18.  Baird,  p.  43. 


NO.  IV. 


199 


XIV.  That  every  Christian,  possessing  a  poeti- 
cal talent,  is  more  capable,  and  as  much  authorized, 
to  make  a  system  of  Psalms  for  the  use  of  the 
church,  as  were  any  of  the  inspired  prophets — 
Nay,  the  spontaneous  effusions  of  the  Christian 
poet  are  preferable  to  the  set  compositions  of  in- 
spired bards. — Latta,  pp.  23.  96.  Baird,  p.  82. 
Watts'  Pref  p.  6. 

XV.  That  several  parts  of  the  inspired  songs, 
as  of  the  119th  Psalm,  are  of  little  use;  the  mat- 
ter so  confused  and  incongruous,  that  it  requires 
much  labour  and  transposition  to  obtain  some  de- 
gree of  consistency. —  Watts'  Note,  119th  P. 

XVI.  That  the  odes  of  Horace,  and  Psalms  of 
David,  in  their  manner  of  composure,  spirit,  and 

force,  are  much  alike ;  and  equally  capable,  by  the 
pen  of  a  Christian  poet,  of  such  transformation,  as 
would  make  them  suitable  for  Christian  worship  ! 
—  Watts7  Rem.  of  Time.   Works,  vol.  7.  p.  433. 

This  is  a  specimen  of  the  spirit  that  pervades 
the  arguments  for  a  human,  in  place  of  an  inspired 
system  of  Psalms.  These  sentiments,  held  forth 
by  masters  in  Israel,  must  have  produced,  and  still 
continue  to  produce,  a  most  unhappy  effect. 


FINIS. 


033  D.  HOGAN  has  lately  published  a  neat  and  correct  poch 
edition  of  the  "  Psalms  of  David,  in  Metre." — He  also  intends  short! 
to  put  to  press,  an  edition  with  Notts  by  the  Rev.  John  Brown  of  Had 
dington  ;  the  Psalms  to  be  printed  with  large  type. 


